New route opens risk of drug smuggling

AFTER 60 years of indirect flights between China and Taiwan, criminals ‘celebrated’ the occasion by trying to smuggle drugs between the two countries. Customs officers discovered 30 kg (66 lbs) of the horse tranquiliser and party drug ketamine on one of the first cargo flights out of China.

“Our expectation was that direct cargo links could possibly lead to drug smuggling,” said Lin Shu-chi, deputy Taipei Customs Office head. “I can’t say this was beyond our imagination.”

The ketamine was worth T$930,000 ($27,720), Lin said.


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