Police swap $230 million in 'zombie drug' materials with flour, arrest couriers

Taiwanese authorities have successfully thwarted a major drug smuggling operation, intercepting raw materials for the potent "zombie drug" Etizolam valued at an estimated NT$7.5 billion (approximately $230 million USD) at Kaohsiung Airport. In a sophisticated sting operation, police replaced the illicit substance with flour before apprehending the couriers.

The drug trafficking group, led by a man surnamed Chen, attempted to smuggle 12 large barrels containing Etizolam, a first-class controlled substance known for its psychoactive effects, into Taiwan via air cargo. However, law enforcement agents from the Third Special Police Corps, in collaboration with customs officials, discovered the contraband during an inspection.

To capture the domestic recipients, investigators executed a daring switch, emptying the original barrels and refilling them with flour. The disguised shipment was then allowed to proceed to a warehouse operated by Chen in Kaohsiung's Zuoying District, dubbed "Air Force No. 1." From there, the group mobilized several individuals, including a man surnamed Tu, to act as couriers, offering them substantial sums to transport the heavy barrels.

As the couriers, driving luxury vehicles, began loading the flour-filled barrels, police swarmed the scene, arresting Tu and his associates. Tu was subsequently sentenced to four years and four months in prison for attempted drug trafficking. He appealed the sentence, arguing he was merely transporting flour, not drugs. However, the High Court upheld his conviction, dismissing his appeal.

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I was just moving flour, not transporting drugs.