A joint operation conducted by law enforcement authorities from Taiwan and Thailand has smashed a drug smuggling operation in Bangkok, seizing about 50 kilograms of ketamine, the Thai authorities announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

Acting in conjunction with Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, a Seaport Interdiction Task Force composed of Thailand’s Customs Department, Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and Armed Forces Security Center seized the drugs on June 30, Anuntasilpa Patchara, director-general of the Thai Customs Department, told the press conference.

The drugs, in 51 packs of tea leaves concealed in three vacuum package machines, were detected at the port in Khlong Toei District destined for Taiwan, Patchara said.

According to the task force, the drugs are estimated to have a market value of NT$146 million (US$4.9 million) in Taiwan.

Tung Yu-kuang (???), an official from Taiwan’s Investigation Bureau posted in Thailand, was also present at the press event.

Thai authorities have apprehended two Thai suspects, one man and one woman, while their Taiwanese counterparts are working to identify and arrest accomplices in Taiwan.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel