Narcotics seized in Taiwan to reach record high in 2019

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's prosecuting agency Monday estimated that more than 7,500 kilograms of narcotics have been seized in Taiwan in 2019, hitting a record high.

More than 8,200 suspects were detained for drug production and trafficking in the first 11 months, the island's prosecutors' office said in a press release about narcotics control in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the number of drug users in Taiwan is expected to fall from 58,000 people in 2018 to 53,000 this year, the statement said.

A new trafficking route, from the Golden Triangle area to Taiwan via Malaysia, was uncovered this year, the prosecutors' office said. Traditionally drugs were mostly smuggled into Taiwan from Thailand and Vietnam.

Police also found that new types of drugs, mixing different narcotic substances, became popular with users, which were much more risky and difficult to detect. In several cases, they found mixed drugs disguised as instant coffee or milk tea powders.