Taichung Drug Drivers Ram Police Cars After Using 'Zombie Smoke Bombs'

A man and woman in Taichung, Taiwan, were arrested after allegedly driving recklessly and crashing into police vehicles, suspected of being under the influence of etonitazene, a potent synthetic opioid. The incident occurred in the Beizun district on the evening of June 21. Police pursued the white sedan, which was reportedly using a canceled license plate, through narrow streets before apprehending the suspects. During the arrest, officers discovered four "zombie smoke bombs" containing etonitazene and a bottle of etonitazene oil, weighing 32.1 grams. A drug test on the male driver, identified as 33-year-old Chen, showed positive results for amphetamines and etonitazene. His 21-year-old girlfriend, Yu, also tested positive for etonitazene use. Both face charges under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act and for endangering public safety. The arrests come amid a broader crackdown on drug-impaired driving in Taichung, with police deploying over 500 officers for a special operation during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. This incident followed another drug-driving case reported in the Fengjia commercial district just the day before.