Garlic Heist and Drugs: Two Men Nabbed in Yunlin, Taiwan

A weekend raid nets a haul of stolen garlic and suspected amphetamines, raising eyebrows in Yunlin County.

Taipei, Taiwan – April 16 - Authorities in Yunlin County have announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with the theft of a significant quantity of garlic and the possession of suspected illegal substances.

The Yunlin County Police Bureau reported the apprehension of two men, identified as Chuang (莊) and Yang (楊), both aged 50. The incident occurred late Saturday night when the suspects allegedly targeted a farm in Baozhong Township, taking advantage of the rainy weather.

According to police reports, the farm's owner witnessed the theft and promptly recorded the license plate of the suspects' vehicle as they attempted to transport the stolen garlic. The authorities were notified at 10 p.m. and swiftly located the men near Xingnan Bridge in Huwei Township by 11 p.m.

Upon searching the suspects' truck, officers recovered 550 catties (330 kg) of stolen garlic, with an estimated market value of NT$17,050 (US$524.49). Furthermore, police discovered an undisclosed amount of amphetamines during the search, leading to additional charges.

The suspects have been handed over to the Yunlin District Prosecutors Office, facing charges related to larceny and violations of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat both property crime and drug-related offenses within the region.