CIB finds 4.6kg of heroin at Kaohsiung airport
By Ted Chen ,The China Post
October 3, 2014, 12:22 am TWN
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB, 刑事局) yesterday announced the discovery of 4.6 kilograms of heroin at Kaohsiung International Airport, and the subsequent arrest of two female Malaysian suspects.
According to the CIB, the drug bust was made after the duo displayed suspicious behavior. About 4.6 kg of heroin with an estimated street value of NT$100 million wa seized by the authorities. The suspects attempted to pass through customs at Kaohsiung undetected by carrying the heroin bricks wrapped in carbon paper and concealed in hidden compartments in their luggage.
Investigators stated that the two Malaysian suspects became drug traffickers due to poverty, and were promised about US$5,000 for each run. Following their arrest in Kaohsiung, the two suspects were transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for questioning. Prosecutors hope to uncover the international drug ring responsible for the shipment of narcotics.
The two women's travel details revealed that they did not request their luggage be checked in as they entered Cambodia from Kuala Lumpur. This made authorities suspicious as they were carrying large travel trunks while entering Taiwan. The two suspects also hung around the airport in a suspicious manner: following their 11:30 p.m. arrival on Monday evening, they did not proceed to customs until 1 a.m. Tuesday.
The CIB stated that the suspects traveled to Cambodia from Kuala Lumpur to acquire the heroin, and then attempted to enter Taiwan through Kaohsiung International Airport via a transfer flight from Hong Kong. This method is typical for international narcotics rings, who favor recruiting poor youths as drug mules. They are then instructed to enter the destination market through connecting flights into less prominent air traffic hubs, said the CIB.
