Taiwanese man jailed for ‘P’-lined suitcases
A 21-year-old Taiwanese drug courier has been sentenced to 11 years 6 months’ imprisonment for his role in attempting to
smuggle methamphetamine or ‘P’ with a street value of approximately $9.5 million found hidden in the lining of
suitcases.
Ting-Hsiu Chang was sentenced in the Manukau District Court after being found guilty by the jury at the end of a trial
in July. His accomplice Jen-Wei Chang was sentenced to 6 years 10 months’ imprisonment in June 2016 following an early
guilty plea.
In May 2015, Customs officers profiled and questioned the men upon arrival at Auckland International Airport from
Taiwan. Baggage searches located around 9.5 kilograms of meth hidden in the lining of four suitcases.
Customs Investigations Manager, Maurice O’Brien, says this seizure was a result of the profiling Customs conducts to
identify high risk passengers, as well as the questioning and examination skills of frontline officers at Auckland
Airport.
“Criminal syndicates recruit people to carry drugs through airports in exchange for money and benefits, but Customs has
a pretty good idea of who and what to look out for.
“These drug couriers end up serving time, carrying a conviction for life, and bringing shame upon their families back
home – the result is never worth the risk,” Mr O’Brien says.
ENDS