Drug Lab Busted in Taiwan, "Zombie Smoke Bomb" and "Meow Meow" Production Halted

Taiwanese investigators have dismantled a drug manufacturing operation in Taoyuan, arresting two individuals suspected of producing dangerous synthetic drugs. The bust, led by the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office and the Investigation Bureau's New Taipei City branch, uncovered a significant quantity of raw materials and finished products.

The seized substances are believed to be sufficient to produce approximately 25,000 "zombie smoke bombs" (etomidate) and 250,000 "meow meow" (4-methylmethcathinone) drug coffee packets. The estimated street value of these drugs exceeds NT$100 million (approximately $3.1 million USD). Prosecutors have charged the two men, identified as 53-year-old Fan and 33-year-old Lin, with manufacturing a Class 2 controlled substance and are seeking lengthy prison sentences of 15 years for Fan and 12 years for Lin.

Authorities discovered the operation after a previous fire at a makeshift lab in a residential building in Guanyin District on January 10, caused by operational errors. The suspects then relocated their production to an abandoned factory in Xinwu District. They allegedly used a precursor chemical, "black water," to synthesize etomidate, a substance increasingly linked to severe injuries and fatalities from drug abuse in Taiwan. The government has announced plans to upgrade etomidate's classification from a Class 2 to a Class 1 controlled substance due to its high potential for harm.

This raid follows a similar successful operation by the same investigative team in May of the previous year, which uncovered Taiwan's first etomidate production facility using the "black water" method. That case received commendation from the Executive Yuan. Prosecutors emphasized their continued commitment to combating emerging drugs like etomidate to protect public health and social order.

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The suspects face severe prison sentences, with prosecutors seeking 15 years for one and 12 years for the other, as the government plans to reclassify etomidate as a Class 1 controlled substance.