NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan — February 2 — A late-night dispute involving migrant workers erupted in Yingge District, New Taipei City, after an alcohol-fueled argument turned physical, prompting police intervention and the arrest of a suspect on coercion charges.
According to the Sanxia Police Precinct, officers received a report at around 9:00 p.m. on February 1 regarding a disturbance at a Vietnamese shop along Nanya Road. When police arrived at the scene, only 37-year-old migrant worker surnamed Li was present.
Nearby shop owners told officers that several migrant workers had earlier been seen arguing and physically pulling at each other after drinking alcohol, with at least one individual appearing emotionally agitated.
Police later accompanied Li to a nearby migrant worker dormitory to assist with the investigation. During questioning, Li identified his 38-year-old roommate surnamed Fei as the person who allegedly pushed and struck him earlier that evening.
Investigators learned that Li, who had been drinking, called his wife earlier in the night. When his wife did not answer clearly due to intoxication, Fei reportedly took the call, which angered Li. Dissatisfied, Li went to the Vietnamese shop near Nanya Night Market to confront Fei, leading to a heated argument fueled by jealousy. During the confrontation, Li was allegedly pushed, prompting him to call the police.
Officers conducted identity checks at the dormitory and confirmed that no overstaying migrant workers were present. Although Li did not sustain injuries and declined to file an assault complaint, police determined that Fei’s actions constituted coercion. As the incident occurred shortly before officers arrived and Li made an on-the-spot identification, Fei was arrested as a quasi-flagrant offender.
Fei was subsequently transferred to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office for further investigation on suspicion of coercion under the Criminal Code.