Taiwan Premier Lauds Success of National Anti-Drug Operation.

Taipei: Taiwan's premier Cho Jung-tai commended the results of a national anti-drug operation that led to the seizure of over four thousand kilograms of illegal narcotics in October and early November. Speaking at a news conference organized by the National Police Agency, the premier highlighted the global challenge posed by drugs and emphasized the need for heavy penalties to deter drug syndicates. According to Focus Taiwan, the news conference was held to announce the outcomes of the 11th wave of the police agency's "Operation Safe Homes" initiative, which ran from October 1 to November 9. The operation led to the investigation or apprehension of 2,313 individuals suspected of drug-related activities, the seizure of 4,160 kilograms of various narcotics, and the dismantling of 103 drug factories. The conference also brought attention to the rising illegal use of etomidate, a short-acting medical anesthetic that has gained popularity as a recreational drug. The Ministry of Justice reclassified etomidate as a more-serious Category Two narcotic on November 14, following the deaths of two police officers in July in a collision involving a driver under the influence of the drug. Under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, individuals convicted of using Category Two narcotics, which include etomidate, marijuana, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, face a maximum sentence of three years in prison. Premier Cho expressed confidence that stronger legal penalties would enable law enforcement to better investigate and prevent tragedies related to etomidate. During the press conference, police disclosed the indictment of a suspect after seizing 135 kg of etomidate powder in Kaohsiung in early October, marking the largest-ever single shipment of the drug in Taiwan's history.