🚨 Taiwan Coast Guard Seizes Over 400kg of Cannabis in Historic Drug Bust: Estimated Value NT$850 Million

🚢 The Biggest Drug Seizure in Taiwan in Recent Memory

In what is being described as one of the most significant maritime drug busts in Taiwan’s recent history, the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) announced it had seized over 400 kilograms of cannabis on February 28, 2025. The drugs were hidden in a specially-designed smuggling compartment aboard a fishing vessel traveling suspiciously near Taiwan’s southern maritime border.

The street value of the cannabis, according to CGA officials, is NT$850 million (approx. US$28.43 million). Authorities say the intercepted quantity could potentially supply over 1.35 million cannabis users, underlining the scale and seriousness of this trafficking operation.

🕵️ How Authorities Cracked the Operation

📡 Intelligence Gathering

The operation began in January 2025, when the Tainan Reconnaissance Brigade received intelligence about a cross-border drug smuggling ring attempting to bring large quantities of cannabis into Taiwan by sea.

🎯 Surveillance and Interception

Using satellite tracking, coastal surveillance, and maritime intelligence, the Coast Guard monitored a fishing vessel named Chin Yu Man No. 368, which exhibited “suspicious navigational behavior” during its trip to the South China Sea, notably near the Pratas Islands and Spratly Islands—hotspots for illicit marine activity.

The ship set sail from Taiwan on February 14 and re-entered Taiwanese waters weeks later. The authorities, under the supervision of the Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office, intercepted and boarded the ship upon return.

💼 What They Found

Inside a concealed compartment on board, investigators discovered multiple waterproof bags packed with vacuum-sealed packets of cannabis. In total, 402.8 kilograms of cannabis were seized.

🌍 Origin of the Cannabis

The initial investigation suggests the shipment came from Thailand, a country where cannabis was decriminalized in 2022 but where illegal exports remain a significant challenge.

🔗 Cross-Border Crime Connection

Drug trafficking routes in Southeast Asia are notoriously complex. Despite Thailand’s relaxed domestic cannabis laws, smuggling cannabis to regions where it remains illegal—like Taiwan—is still a lucrative black-market business.

Analysts suggest that Taiwan is being targeted as a transit or endpoint due to its high purchasing power, stable shipping infrastructure, and gaps in maritime patrolling in the vast South China Sea.

🧠 Commentary & Analysis

This case offers a stark reminder that Taiwan’s geographic location makes it vulnerable to transnational drug syndicates. Though cannabis is increasingly decriminalized globally, Taiwan still classifies it as a Category 2 narcotic, carrying stiff penalties for possession, smuggling, and trafficking.

Implications:

• A potential rise in cannabis smuggling efforts via sea routes, especially as neighboring nations ease cannabis laws.
• Enhanced international cooperation between Taiwan and countries like Thailand will be crucial to curb trafficking.
• The bust underlines Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining strict anti-drug enforcement policies, despite changing global attitudes toward cannabis.

📜 Legal Actions Underway

The captain of the intercepted vessel, surnamed Chen (陳), has been detained. The Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office is now investigating the case under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, one of Taiwan’s toughest anti-drug laws. If convicted, those involved could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the circumstances.

✅ Government Response and Policy Outlook

This incident is expected to lead to:

• Increased Coast Guard funding
• Tighter regulations on Taiwan-registered fishing vessels
• Closer bilateral discussions with Southeast Asian nations on narcotics control

Lawmakers have already proposed the deployment of more high-tech surveillance drones and AI-assisted threat monitoring systems to improve maritime security.

❓ FAQs