Filipino visitors investigated for smuggling heroin

Kaohsiung, Dec. 28 (CNA) Two visitors from the Philippines are being investigated for allegedly trying to smuggle heroin into Taiwan via Kaohsiung International Airport, Kaohsiung City Field Division of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau said Thursday.

More than nine kilograms of heroin, with a street value of approximately NT$30 million (US$979,400), were found in their luggage, the division said in a statement.

The division said it was notified by overseas sources in September that travelers from Southeast Asia, posing as tourists, would attempt to smuggle heroin into Taiwan.

After processing the information, the authorities were able to identify two Filipino nationals who flew from Manila to Taiwan on China Airlines flight CI712, which arrived early morning on Sept. 22.

On arrival, personnel from the Kaohsiung Customs Division scanned their luggage with X-ray scanners, and found large amounts of white powder wrapped in bandages and hidden in backpacks.

The powder was later tested by customs personnel and confirmed to be heroin, the division said.

Heroin is classified as a Category 1 narcotics in Taiwan, and under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, anyone caught manufacturing, transporting or selling such drugs are subject to the death penalty or life imprisonment.

A task force made up of personnel from the division, Kaohsiung Customs, and Kaohsiung Police Department Criminal Investigation Corps arrested the Filipino nationals at the airport, according to the division.

Nine kilograms is the largest amount of Category 1 narcotics seized at Kaohsiung International Airport in recent years, the division said.

It added that the case is currently being investigated by the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office.