January 30th, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA), together with the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office, the Ministry of Justice
Investigation Bureau, and the Kaohsiung City Police Department, held a joint press conference at the Fleet Branch’s 5th (Kaohsiung)
Coast Patrol Squadron to announce the successful interdiction of a drug-smuggling freighter. Premier Cho Jung-tai attended to
commend the participating units and present awards.
Among the honored units was CGA cutter PP-10096 of the Kaohsiung Coast Guard, which, within less than one year of service, seized an exceptionally large narcotics shipment. Premier Cho signed a commemorative model ship in recognition of PP-10096 as an
“impenetrable steel line,” symbolizing the highest commendation for frontline operational excellence.
According to the CGA, the 5th (Kaohsiung) Coast Patrol Squadron, together with the Southern Mobile Task Force of the Ministry of
Justice Investigation Bureau, received international intelligence from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicating that a
freighter was suspected of transporting a large quantity of narcotics bound for Taiwan.
Acting under prosecutorial direction, the task force conducted a maritime interception and seized 26.5 kilograms of Schedule II methamphetamine and 1,273.36 kilograms of Schedule III ketamine, totaling 1,299.86 kilograms. The operation successfully prevented the
narcotics from entering Taiwan.
In the early morning of June 26, 2025, cutter PP-10096 deployed with task force personnel to conduct maritime interdiction operations.That afternoon, approximately 125 nautical miles south of Dongsha Island (about 330 nautical miles southwest of Kaohsiung Port),
officers identified the Tanzania-registered general cargo vessel KIM CHANG LONG.
The vessel refused inspection and circled under the pretext of mechanical failure. During the encounter, crew members attempted to
jettison bagged items suspected to be narcotics into the sea in an effort to destroy evidence.After multiple unsuccessful attempts to
approach, task force members lawfully fired warning flash-bang devices and executed a forced boarding. Officers seized 53 bags of
suspected narcotics in the accommodation area and recovered five large remnant packages from the sea.
Preliminary field testing indicated that the seized substances were methamphetamine and ketamine.The case involves violations of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, and the vessel KIM CHANG LONG was escorted back to Kaohsiung Port for further search and
investigation.
Following prosecutorial interrogation, all 11 suspects were detained upon court approval.Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling
stated that in 2025, the CGA seized a total of 13,819 kilograms of narcotics.This interception of nearly 1.3 metric tons accounts for
approximately 10% of last year’s total seizures. It represents not only a numerical achievement but also demonstrates the CGA’s
effective maritime interdiction, preventing drugs from penetrating Taiwan’s borders and averting irreversible harm to society and
families.
The CGA emphasized that it will continue to uphold the core principle of the “Three Safeties” (National Security,Public Security, and
Public Safety), strengthening interagency and international cooperation to eliminate narcotics threats.
The public is urged to report suspicious maritime activities by calling the CGA’s toll-free hotline 118, working together to build a drug-free and safe living environment.
