Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/07/22
By: Wu Chia-jun, Yeh Su-ping, Wang Yan-yu, Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh

Taipei, July 22 (CNA) A special service agent who accompanied President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) during her just-concluded state visit to Taiwan's Caribbean allies has been removed from his post pending investigation after allegedly smuggling NT$6 million (US$191,418)- worth of cigarettes into Taiwan.

The suspect, surnamed Wu (吳), had attempted to take advantage of the speedy clearance treatment enjoyed by government officials accompanying Tsai's overseas visit to smuggle the cigarettes after the delegation arrived in Taiwan, according to a press statement released by the Customs Administration.

The administration said it had received a prior tipoff that the suspect had ordered the cigarettes at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and kept them in a warehouse of a China Airlines-affiliated onboard catering services company.

According to the Presidential Office, Tsai was "furious" when she was informed of the secret service official's alleged involvement. She called on the National Security Bureau (NSB), where the suspect works, to work with relevant judicial authorities to investigate the case.
[FULL  STORY]