Taiwanese drug trafficking suspect arrested in Bangkok

A Taiwanese national wanted in Taiwan for alleged involvement in trafficking illegal narcotics into the island state was arrested by Thai immigration and narcotics control officers at a condominium in Bangkok’s Asoke area last night.

Police reported that officers found five grams of ketamine, several floor carpets, a sewing machine and packaging equipment in the room of 27-year-old Chiang Ming-foeng.

Some of the carpets had small hidden pockets sewn into them, allegedly used to conceal drugs for airfreight shipments to Taiwan.

Police claim Chiang is an expert in devising new methods for smuggling illegal narcotics from Thailand into Taiwan. For example, heroin—normally in powder form—was allegedly converted into liquid form, resembling lotion, and used to fill small bottles labelled as other products. These were then packed into parcels and mailed overseas.

Pol Lt-Gen Archayon Kraithong, commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, said the arrest of Chiang is an important step in disrupting the trafficking of illegal narcotics to Taiwan from Laos, with Thailand used as a shipping and preparation hub.

He added that Thai immigration authorities have revoked Chiang’s residence visa and have notified Taiwanese police of the suspect’s detention.