TAIPEI: Six Malaysian men have been arrested on charges of smuggling heroin into Taiwan, an offence punishable by life imprisonment, officials said Monday.
Investigators and police raided a hotel in central Taipei Saturday and arrested five Malaysians after the sixth Malaysian and a Taiwanese man were caught selling the drug on the street, said an officer from the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
Investigators said the group arrived in Taiwan Friday with a total of 5.8 kilogrammes (12.8 pounds) of heroin hidden in their luggage.
They said one of the Malaysians had previously brought in a total of three kilograms of heroin on two trips in November and December.
Under Taiwan’s anti-drug laws, transporting heroin is punishable by life imprisonment. -- AFP