Chinese E-Cigarette Devices Flow into Taiwan; Distribution Center Busted in Chiayi in Record-Breaking Seizure
Taiwan's Coast Guard unit in Tainan busted a large-scale illegal e-cigarette distribution center in Chiayi City, arresting a couple. The operation collaborated with Chinese vendors, taking orders online and shipping from Taiwan, and even produced custom "zombie pods" containing the drug etomidate. The total value of seized goods, combined with a previous bust, exceeds NT$60 million, making it the largest in Taiwan's history.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 11:58
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 12:11 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 12:23 (12 min after Collected)
(CNA, Reporter Chang Jung-hsiang, Tainan, June 10) The Coast Guard Administration's Tainan Investigation Team announced today the bust of an "illegal e-cigarette device distribution center," seizing 311 grams of etomidate and arresting a suspect couple. The investigation revealed that the suspects colluded with Chinese operators, taking online orders for shipment within Taiwan, and even created customized "zombie" e-cigarette pods.
The Tainan Investigation Team told CNA today that a 54-year-old man surnamed Huang, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and released three years ago, allegedly engaged in illegal e-cigarette trade. In May of last year, he was caught in Shuishang Township, Chiayi County, with over 13,000 e-cigarette devices and was charged under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.
Undeterred, Huang continued his operations. On April 9 of this year, a special task force busted his "illegal e-cigarette device distribution center" in the East District of Chiayi City. They seized nearly 4,000 e-cigarette devices, over 9,500 boxes of various pods, 17 boxes of related components, and 311 grams of etomidate.
The Tainan Investigation Team calculated that the total number of illegal e-cigarette devices and other items seized from Huang on both occasions is likely the largest in Taiwan's history, with a market value exceeding NT$60 million. Both Huang and his 49-year-old girlfriend, surnamed Yen, who were arrested at the scene, tested positive for drugs in a saliva screening.
Huang claimed that after his release from prison, he made e-cigarette pods with etomidate primarily for his and his girlfriend's personal use. However, the Tainan Investigation Team suspects that the 311 grams of etomidate seized at the scene could not have been for just two people, and that Huang may have been customizing and selling "zombie pods" to others.
For sales, the distribution center operated through online orders with a backend in China. After receiving an order, the products were shipped from Taiwan. The e-cigarette devices, all Chinese-made products, featured exquisite and cute designs and were advertised with slogans like "order today, arrive tomorrow" to entice young buyers. Following interrogation, the case has been transferred to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office for investigation on charges including drug offenses and violations of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150610
The Tainan Investigation Team told CNA today that a 54-year-old man surnamed Huang, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and released three years ago, allegedly engaged in illegal e-cigarette trade. In May of last year, he was caught in Shuishang Township, Chiayi County, with over 13,000 e-cigarette devices and was charged under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.
Undeterred, Huang continued his operations. On April 9 of this year, a special task force busted his "illegal e-cigarette device distribution center" in the East District of Chiayi City. They seized nearly 4,000 e-cigarette devices, over 9,500 boxes of various pods, 17 boxes of related components, and 311 grams of etomidate.
The Tainan Investigation Team calculated that the total number of illegal e-cigarette devices and other items seized from Huang on both occasions is likely the largest in Taiwan's history, with a market value exceeding NT$60 million. Both Huang and his 49-year-old girlfriend, surnamed Yen, who were arrested at the scene, tested positive for drugs in a saliva screening.
Huang claimed that after his release from prison, he made e-cigarette pods with etomidate primarily for his and his girlfriend's personal use. However, the Tainan Investigation Team suspects that the 311 grams of etomidate seized at the scene could not have been for just two people, and that Huang may have been customizing and selling "zombie pods" to others.
For sales, the distribution center operated through online orders with a backend in China. After receiving an order, the products were shipped from Taiwan. The e-cigarette devices, all Chinese-made products, featured exquisite and cute designs and were advertised with slogans like "order today, arrive tomorrow" to entice young buyers. Following interrogation, the case has been transferred to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office for investigation on charges including drug offenses and violations of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150610
FAQ
這次查緝行動破獲了什麼？
行動破獲了一個「非法電子煙主機發貨中心」，查獲近4000台電子煙主機、9500多盒煙彈、17箱組合元件及311公克的依托咪酯（俗稱喪屍煙彈原料）。
嫌犯是誰？他們如何運作？
嫌犯為一名54歲黃姓男子及其49歲顏姓女友。他們與中國業者勾結，採用網路下單、後端在中國、台灣發貨的模式，並標榜「當日訂貨、隔日送達」來吸引年輕人。
這起案件的規模有多大？
根據台南查緝隊統計，黃姓嫌犯兩次被查獲的非法電子煙主機等物品總市值超過新台幣6000萬元，研判是台灣史上最大規模的非法電子煙查緝案。
什麼是「依托咪酯」？在此案中扮演何種角色？
依托咪酯是一種毒品。在此案中，嫌犯用它來客製化「喪屍煙彈」，除了自己吸食外，警方懷疑也供售他人。
此案發生在哪裡？由哪個單位偵辦？
發貨中心位於嘉義市東區，由海巡署台南查緝隊偵破。全案已移送嘉義地檢署偵辦。