Lee Chi-yi (李秩義, left)

Taipei, Oct. 23 (CNA) Taiwanese and Malaysian authorities have jointly cracked two illegal drug trafficking cases that led to the seizure of 30.5 kilograms of heroin and 254 kg of ketamine, the Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of Justice (MJIB) said Monday.

On Sept. 27, customs inspectors at Taoyuan International Airport found a total of 30.5 kg of heroin wrapped in aluminum foil and concealed in 90 stainless steel vacuum bottles imported from Malaysia, Lee Chi-yi (李秩義), an MJIB official said.

A special investigation team formed by the MJIB, Taipei Customs Office and Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office identified a Malaysian suspect involved in the case, but he was found to have fled Taiwan, Lee said.

The team then provided Malaysian police with related intelligence through an international anti-drug collaboration mechanism.

That information helped Malaysian authorities discover and seize another 254 kg of ketamine in 248 packets at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Oct. 18 that was hidden in a shipment of clothes headed for Taiwan, Lee said.

The market value of the 284.5 kg in illegal drugs seized was about NT$440 million (US$14.83 million), according to Lee.

(By Wu Jui-chi and Evelyn Kao)
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