Chinese E-Cigarette Devices Flow into Taiwan; Distribution Center Busted in Chiayi in Record-Breaking Seizure

(CNA, Reporter Chang Jung-hsiang, Tainan, June 10) The Coast Guard Administration's Tainan Investigation Team announced today the bust of an "illegal e-cigarette device distribution center," seizing 311 grams of etomidate and arresting a suspect couple. The investigation revealed that the suspects colluded with Chinese operators, taking online orders for shipment within Taiwan, and even created customized "zombie" e-cigarette pods.

The Tainan Investigation Team told CNA today that a 54-year-old man surnamed Huang, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and released three years ago, allegedly engaged in illegal e-cigarette trade. In May of last year, he was caught in Shuishang Township, Chiayi County, with over 13,000 e-cigarette devices and was charged under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.

Undeterred, Huang continued his operations. On April 9 of this year, a special task force busted his "illegal e-cigarette device distribution center" in the East District of Chiayi City. They seized nearly 4,000 e-cigarette devices, over 9,500 boxes of various pods, 17 boxes of related components, and 311 grams of etomidate.

The Tainan Investigation Team calculated that the total number of illegal e-cigarette devices and other items seized from Huang on both occasions is likely the largest in Taiwan's history, with a market value exceeding NT$60 million. Both Huang and his 49-year-old girlfriend, surnamed Yen, who were arrested at the scene, tested positive for drugs in a saliva screening.

Huang claimed that after his release from prison, he made e-cigarette pods with etomidate primarily for his and his girlfriend's personal use. However, the Tainan Investigation Team suspects that the 311 grams of etomidate seized at the scene could not have been for just two people, and that Huang may have been customizing and selling "zombie pods" to others.

For sales, the distribution center operated through online orders with a backend in China. After receiving an order, the products were shipped from Taiwan. The e-cigarette devices, all Chinese-made products, featured exquisite and cute designs and were advertised with slogans like "order today, arrive tomorrow" to entice young buyers. Following interrogation, the case has been transferred to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office for investigation on charges including drug offenses and violations of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150610