Pharmacist accused of spiking employee's water detained

Taipei, Sept. 6 (CNA) A New Taipei pharmacist accused of spiking his university student employee's water with a benzodiazepine-class drug was detained on suspicion of attempted sexual assault on Sunday.

The Shilin District Court ordered the suspect, identified by his surname Chen (陳), to be held incommunicado on the grounds that he posed a risk of destroying evidence or tampering with witnesses.

Authorities were alerted to the case by a recent social media post, in which the alleged victim's sibling accused Chen of drugging her.

According to the post, the part-time employee had become dizzy and confused shortly after drinking from her water bottle while working at the pharmacy, and reported the incident to the police.

Speaking with local media, Chen admitted to putting the drug in the employee's drink, but insisted it had been "a joke," saying he believed the medication had expired and was therefore harmless.

After obtaining a warrant to search Chen's home and pharmacy, police seized phones, a computer, electronic storage devices, surveillance equipment and records related to drug purchases.

According to police, testing found a benzodiazepine-class controlled drug in the water, while surveillance footage appeared to show Chen adding a substance to it.

Prosecutors said they are seeking to indict Chen on charges of using deception to cause someone to take a controlled drug, attempted aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual indecency and causing bodily harm.