Pingtung Pineapple Season: Police Launch Protection Project, Arrest 2 Thieves on Day 1

Pingtung County, Taiwan's largest pineapple producer, has entered its harvest season. Due to the high quality and stable prices of the fruit, the Ligang Police Department initiated the 'Fruit Protection Project' on the 23rd to safeguard farmers' livelihoods. On the first day of the operation, two suspects were caught stealing approximately 130 pineapples, worth about NT$4,100, in Gaoshu Township. Ligang Police Chief Chiu Yi-chiao stated that the project, which includes the use of drones for all-around surveillance and increased patrols, will run until the end of May. Gaoshu Township Mayor Liang Zheng-han praised the initiative, noting that pineapples take 16 months to mature and are a vital income source. This year's crop, primarily the Tainong No. 17 Golden Diamond variety, features high sweetness due to less rainfall, with wholesale prices averaging around NT$40 per kilogram in late April.