Thai woman arrested for allegedly smuggling 72 heroin capsules into Taiwan
A 35-year-old Thai woman was arrested in Taiwan after allegedly attempting to smuggle heroin by swallowing 72 drug-filled capsules.
The Muay Thai coach was detained on 6 April after arriving at Kaohsiung Siaogang Airport from Thailand, according to RTI.
Authorities said she had concealed the capsules inside her digestive tract to avoid airport security checks.
X-ray scan revealed capsules inside body
The Coast Guard Administration’s Crime Investigation Bureau in Kaohsiung received intelligence about an international drug trafficking syndicate allegedly using foreign nationals to transport drugs into Taiwan.
Source: M News on YouTube
After identifying the woman as a suspected courier, authorities intercepted her upon arrival at the airport and sent her to hospital under security escort.
Source: M News on YouTube
An X-ray scan showed multiple oval-shaped objects inside her abdomen, confirming suspicions that she had swallowed drug capsules.
72 heroin capsules recovered over 10 days
The capsules were reportedly wrapped in multiple layers of condoms and heat-shrink plastic to prevent the drugs from leaking into her body.
Medical staff supervised the woman as she passed the capsules naturally. It took 10 days for all 72 capsules to be recovered.
Source: RTI
Authorities said the capsules contained 289.1g of heroin, a Category 1 narcotic under Taiwanese law, with an estimated street value of around NT$3.6 million (about S$150,000).
Concerned that she might attempt to escape, the hospital placed the woman under 24-hour security during her stay.
Authorities warn of risks of swallowing drugs
Officials warned that swallowing drug capsules is extremely dangerous.
If the wrapping breaks due to stomach acid, narcotics can leak into the body and cause rapid poisoning that may be fatal.
Investigators believe a drug trafficking syndicate hired the woman to transport the heroin into Taiwan.
The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office indicted her in July.
A court has ordered her to remain in custody while legal proceedings continue, as authorities investigate the wider trafficking network behind the case.
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