Qiaotou Prosecutors Continue Investigation into 'Meinong Grand Canyon' Case; Brother of Kaohsiung Councilor Detained

The Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office announced on the evening of the 28th that it is investigating a case involving an illegal group that extensively excavated sand and gravel from farmland in the Chenggong section of Meinong District, Kaohsiung, and backfilled the sites with waste, in violation of the Waste Disposal Act.

Led by Chief Prosecutor Chen Chu-chun and Prosecutor Yen Wei-te, a special task force including the Kaohsiung City Investigation Office executed search warrants on the 28th. They detained the brother of independent Kaohsiung City Councilor Chu Hsin-chiang, among others, who are currently being questioned by judicial police under the direction of the prosecutors.

The 'Meinong Grand Canyon' case began last August when the Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office received reports that large pits had been formed by the massive excavation of soil and gravel in the Chenggong and Xinjiyang sections of Meinong. The estimated excavation area is equivalent to twice the size of the Chengcing Lake Baseball Stadium, with the canyon-like pits averaging about 15 meters in depth.

Prosecutors and police discovered that the case involved more than just selling excavated sand for profit. The group utilized the pits to create a 'one-stop malicious criminal industry chain' that included leasing land, illegal sand extraction, and backfilling with construction waste. The investigation concluded in February with the indictment of 106 individuals, including Shih Li-chun, a former special assistant to Councilor Chu Hsin-chiang. The illegal profits are estimated to be approximately NT$300 million.