Drug Factory Hidden in Chiayi Residence; Drugs Worth Over NT$500 Million Intercepted

(CNA, Changhua, 14th) The Changhua Investigation Unit of the Coast Guard Administration's Investigation and Defense Branch received intelligence, reported to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office for command, and busted a drug manufacturing factory in Chiayi City. They intercepted the first domestic case of a new drug manufacturing method using etomidate acid to produce the emerging drug etomidate, preventing drugs with a market value of over NT$520 million from flowing into the market.

The entire case was directed by the Taiwan Chiayi District Prosecutors Office, which formed a special task force in collaboration with the Changhua unit of the Ocean Affairs Council's Coast Guard Administration Investigation and Defense Branch to execute the anti-drug operation.

The Changhua Investigation Unit issued a press release today stating that after long-term monitoring and source tracking, the task force discovered that drug packages were being sent to a terraced house in Chiayi City with a meticulous division of labor. In January of this year, the team executed a search warrant and forcefully entered the premises, successfully dismantling the underground drug factory hidden in the residence. They uncovered the first domestic case of a new drug manufacturing method using the non-regulated chemical substance etomidate acid to be converted into the drug etomidate.

The Changhua Investigation Unit said that a total of 934 kilograms of drug raw materials and finished products were seized. The interception of drugs with a market value of NT$520 million before the Lunar New Year effectively prevented a large number of 'zombie vape cartridges' from harming public health and causing more traffic safety hazards. The entire case has been concluded by the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office and has been prosecuted according to the law.

The Changhua Investigation Unit stated that for this new type of crime using the non-regulated substance etomidate acid to manufacture drugs, the Coast Guard Administration is currently accelerating the process of drafting a proposal to fill the legal loophole and prevent this method from becoming widespread. (Editor: Li Ming-tsung) 1150514