October 17, 2025 — Taichung City, Taiwan
Authorities in Taichung City have dismantled a drug trafficking group that operated under the guise of well-known companies such as PX Mart, McDonald’s, and Hsinchu Logistics to conceal their illegal activities, according to the Taichung City Criminal Investigation Department.
Police said the group used these company names as nicknames in online messaging groups to hide their operations while secretly selling ketamine, etomidate, and other narcotics. The syndicate was uncovered earlier this year during a routine cyber patrol by the department’s Second Investigation Team.
Following months of surveillance and data gathering, police executed a court-approved search in April 2025, arresting three suspects identified only by their surnames Liao, Lin, and Xiong. During the raid, authorities confiscated 22 cartridges of etomidate, 93 grams of ketamine, eight packets of Hami melon tablets containing controlled substances, and NT$330,000 in drug proceeds.
Investigators revealed that the trio maintained a meticulous division of labor:
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Liao acted as the warehouse manager and financier.
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Lin served as the driver and distributor, using rental cars for deliveries.
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Xiong handled customer coordination and cash returns.
When orders were received, Liao would confirm inventory and coordinate distribution. Xiong managed transactions, while Lin carried out deliveries. Evidence also showed Xiong smiling while counting thick stacks of banknotes, which became crucial proof of their drug-dealing operations.
The suspects were charged under Taiwan’s Drug Hazard Prevention Act after prosecutors concluded the investigation. The seized narcotics and cash were confiscated as evidence.
Authorities warned that the group’s method of using fake corporate identities and encrypted online channels represents a growing trend in drug trafficking, making digital surveillance crucial to law enforcement efforts. Police vowed to intensify online patrols to prevent similar operations in the future.