Taiwan-U.S. Intelligence Cooperation Leads to Seizure of $103 Million Drug Smuggling Case, Enough for 10 Million Users

The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau held a press conference today to announce a major anti-narcotics achievement resulting from intelligence collaboration between Taiwan and the United States. In late December of the previous year, authorities intercepted the 'Tian Fa Cai 38' fishing vessel smuggling narcotics. Approximately 281 kilograms of heroin bricks and 354 kilograms of ketamine were seized, with a street value of about NT$10.3 billion (approximately US$320 million), surpassing the total annual drug seizures in recent years.

According to the press release, the Northern Regional Mobile Station of the Investigation Bureau, in collaboration with the Coast Guard Administration and Taipei Military Police, formed a special task force. Under the command of the New Taipei and Pingtung District Prosecutors’ Offices and in close cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the operation led to the interception of the 'Tian Fa Cai 38' fishing vessel southwest of Liuqiu Island in the early hours of December 3, 2025.

The task force discovered 740 bricks of first-grade 'Double Lion Earth Ball' heroin, totaling 281.2 kilograms, hidden beneath frozen fish bait in the vessel’s bow compartment. Additionally, 340 packets of third-grade ketamine, weighing 353.6 kilograms, were found. Three Taiwanese suspects, including the vessel’s captain, and seven foreign crew members were arrested, preventing the drugs from entering the market.

The 'Tian Fa Cai 38' departed from Donggang, Pingtung County, on November 29, 2024, and arrived at a designated coordinate on December 2, where it rendezvoused with an unidentified iron-hulled vessel. After confirming identity using a NT$100 banknote as a token, 23 bags of feed containing drugs were transferred into the fishing vessel’s freezer and concealed under large quantities of frozen fish before heading back to port.

At around 2 a.m. on December 3, 2025, under severe sea conditions, the task force conducted a forceful boarding operation, firing multiple shotgun rounds to subdue resistance, and arrested all 10 individuals on board, including the captain, crew, and the mastermind behind the operation. The 281 kilograms of heroin seized exceeds Taiwan’s total annual seizures in 2023 (159 kg), 2024 (127 kg), and 2025 (169 kg), making this the most significant narcotics bust in recent years.

The press conference was held at the Investigation Bureau’s Zhonghe Investigation Park, attended by Premier Cho Jung-tai, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene, Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien, and Investigation Bureau Director Chen Pai-li.

Premier Cho expressed gratitude to Director Greene for attending, emphasizing AIT’s commitment and highlighting the strong results achieved through intelligence sharing, technological cooperation, and personnel coordination between Taiwan and the U.S. He affirmed that both nations are not only combating illegal activities but also upholding shared universal values such as democracy, human rights, and freedom, and will continue to strengthen their strategic partnership for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Greene stated that AIT values its robust partnership with Taiwan, noting that the Investigation Bureau has been an outstanding model in international law enforcement cooperation. He expressed deep appreciation to the DEA and AIT for their collaborative spirit in this case.

Greene emphasized that the core mission of law enforcement is to protect public safety. Drug threats are not confined to one region but are transnational and global in impact. 'Our ability to protect people from drug harm largely depends on the strength of our partnerships. Today’s achievement is the best proof of what strong partnerships can accomplish,' he said.

Cheng Ming-chien stated that intercepting drugs valued at NT$10.3 billion before they reached the market represents an epic, cross-ministerial, and international anti-drug achievement. The Ministry of Justice will continue its zero-tolerance policy toward drugs, pursuing upstream investigations to dismantle the masterminds and transnational drug trafficking organizations completely.

Director Chen Pai-li noted that this is the largest drug seizure in the past five years, with an estimated capacity to supply over 13 million users. If these drugs had entered the market, the consequences would have been catastrophic. The Investigation Bureau will continue to enhance technological surveillance, deepen cross-agency and international anti-drug cooperation, and remain committed to keeping drugs out of Taiwan to protect citizens and ensure a drug-free society.

(Edited by Lin Shu-hui)

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