Man Arrested for 'Zombie Vape' Use and Drug-Impaired Driving; Chiayi Prosecutors Secure Preventive Detention

A man surnamed Kuo in Chiayi City, who had just been referred to prosecutors on the 7th for using etomidate, fled upon seeing police while riding a scooter on the 26th. He was intercepted, and drugs were found on his person, with a saliva test showing positive for amphetamines. Prosecutors requested preventive detention from the court, citing the risk of recidivism, which was granted. The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office stated that to strongly curb drug-impaired driving, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office has instructed all local prosecutors to actively request preventive detention in accordance with the amendment to Article 101-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which took effect on May 15 this year. Kuo had been indicted for drug-impaired driving in February and referred for etomidate use on May 7. Prosecutors emphasized their policy of "strict and rapid handling, active detention, and heavy sentencing" to protect public safety.