Four Taiwanese held on drug smuggling charges in Japan

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/12/12
By: Yang Ming-chu, Liu Chien-pang and Matthew Mazzetta

Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) Coordination between Taiwanese and Japanese authorities has led to the arrests of 11 suspected drug smugglers, including four Taiwanese, as well as the seizure of nearly 600 kilograms of amphetamine in the Kyushu region of southern Japan, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said Thursday.

In a press release, the CGA said its Kaohsiung Reconnaissance Brigade tipped off Japanese authorities about a fishing boat suspected of transporting drugs, which was headed to Oniki Port in Kyushu's western Kumamoto Prefecture.

According to the statement, at around 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, the Japan Coast Guard and police raided the boat after it entered port, uncovering the drugs and arresting one Taiwanese and two Japanese suspects at the scene.

As of Thursday, 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, including four Taiwanese, who are being held in Japan, the statement said.    [FULL  STORY]