A 70-year-old man allegedly recruited debt-ridden individuals to act as drug couriers in a cross-border heroin smuggling operation from Cambodia to Taiwan, with authorities eventually arresting 14 people linked to the syndicate.
According to Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration, the Yunlin Investigation Team uncovered information about the alleged operation and worked with other agencies to track down the group.
Investigators believe the syndicate, allegedly led by the elderly suspect surnamed Wu, specifically targeted people struggling with debt. Recruits were reportedly offered NT$570 (about RM78) for every gramme of heroin they successfully transported, with higher payments available for those willing to carry larger quantities.
The group is believed to have recruited 13 people to help transport the drugs. Some members were reportedly carrying substantial debts, including one individual who allegedly owed nearly NT$10 million following failed investments and decided to take the risk.
Authorities said members of the group had an average age of around 50. In an attempt to evade detection, two couriers allegedly concealed heroin inside their bodies before attempting to pass through customs.
One courier reportedly carried more than 400 grammes of heroin, which would have earned him an estimated NT$220,000 if the shipment had reached Taiwan successfully.
However, the plan failed after investigators, who had already received intelligence about the operation, intercepted and arrested those involved.
Despite the failed attempts, the alleged syndicate reportedly did not stop. Authorities said the group later tried another method by disguising heroin as packaged nut products in an attempt to smuggle the drugs into Taiwan, but this attempt was also detected.
In total, the Coast Guard seized around 2.3kg of heroin, with an estimated street value exceeding NT$10 million. Authorities said the amount could have been enough for more than 10,000 people to consume.
The case was referred to the Yunlin District Prosecutors Office for investigation and prosecution under Taiwan’s Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, Anti-Smuggling Act and Organised Crime Prevention Act.
The Yunlin Investigation Team said it would continue targeting the organisers behind drug trafficking operations rather than focusing solely on individual couriers. Authorities also urged the public to report suspected maritime smuggling or other illegal activities through the Coast Guard’s free 118 hotline.
