'Sunflower Goddess' Liu Qiaoan extradited from US to Taiwan on drug charges

Liu Qiaoan, a figure once dubbed the "Sunflower Goddess," has been extradited from the United States to Taiwan to face serious drug trafficking charges. Liu, whose legal name is Liu Yi-han, had previously fled to the U.S. amidst accusations of embezzlement and involvement in multiple drug-related cases.

Taiwanese authorities, specifically the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, had issued an arrest warrant for Liu in connection with a case involving the smuggling of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cocaine from the U.S. to Taiwan in 2021. Given the gravity of the charges, which fall under the "Drug Hazard Prevention Act" for trafficking first-class narcotics, an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment, prosecutors are seeking her pre-trial detention.

“

The "Sunflower Goddess" Liu Qiaoan (legal name: Liu Yi-han) is suspected of transporting first-class narcotics from the United States to Taiwan. Prosecutors have requested her detention.

Investigators allege that in October 2021, Liu, along with two unidentified men known as "Kenny" and "Xiao Wu," orchestrated the shipment of 590.42 grams of cocaine, valued at millions of New Taiwan dollars. The drugs were concealed within packages containing candles, clothing, and iron plates, and sent via air cargo. The scheme involved Taiwanese accomplices, including hotel hostess Hsieh Chuan-ling, who acted as a contact, and e-commerce worker Yang Chih-chun, who handled customs declarations under a false name.

Customs officials at Taipei Port detected anomalies in the packages, initiating an investigation. During a "controlled delivery" operation, Hsieh Chuan-ling arranged for a buyer, Chang Yang-tsung, to pick up the package. Authorities apprehended Chang upon receipt. While Liu's accomplices in Taiwan have already been apprehended and sentenced, Hsieh received a seven-year sentence for her role after implicating Liu and providing evidence, Yang was sentenced to nine years for self-surrender and customs fraud, and Chang received an eight-year sentence for attempted possession, Liu herself had evaded capture until her recent extradition.

“

She was arrested in a Boston hotel by the Criminal Investigation Bureau's International Division and the Second Investigation Corps, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).