13 Kilograms of Ketamine Found: German Woman Apprehended at Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan

A German national was caught with a significant amount of Ketamine at Taoyuan International Airport. The woman claimed ignorance, stating she was transporting "decorations" for a friend.

In a recent incident at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, a German national, identified as a woman named D, was apprehended after authorities discovered 13.2 kilograms of Ketamine concealed within her luggage. The estimated street value of the drugs exceeds 16 million New Taiwan dollars.

The incident occurred in March when D, traveling alone, was stopped during a routine inspection by customs officials and the Aviation Police Bureau. X-ray scans revealed anomalies in her checked baggage, leading to a search that uncovered 17 packages of Ketamine.

During questioning, D initially claimed she was transporting "female decorations" for a friend and was unaware of the concealed drugs. She later admitted to being offered 10,000 euros (approximately 339,000 New Taiwan dollars) for her services. Authorities from the Aviation Police Bureau, however, deemed the claim inconsistent with the level of compensation and the nature of the task.

Ketamine is classified as a Category 3 controlled substance in Taiwan. Its use can cause increased heart rate, delusions, hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting. Long-term use can lead to frequent urination, blood in urine, edema, and kidney failure, as well as tolerance and psychological dependence. The Aviation Police Bureau has reiterated its commitment to intensifying efforts to prevent drug smuggling at the border and to disrupt criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.