Taipei: A Nepalese national who expanded a cannabis growing operation in Taiwan tenfold after going on the run in 2020 was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Shilin District Court ruled on Aug. 26 that Chhetri Ganesh Roka was found with 291 plants with an estimated value of NT$20 million (US$650,852) after police raids in Taoyuan and New Taipei. The court said Roka had been a fugitive after failing to report for a seven-and-a-half-year prison term finalized in July 2020 for possession of 29 plants and five seedlings. In January, officers from the Third Special Police Corps apprehended Roka after raiding a cannabis farm run by Santiago Alfonso Balado Yrizar in Tamsui District, New Taipei, and learning that Roka supplied the farm with plants and equipment. The court found Balado Yrizar guilty of manufacturing marijuana and of using a fake license plate for his car. He received jail terms of 22 months and two months for the two counts, but both terms were suspended for five years after Balado Yrizar provided information to police about Roka. Ma Yu-chieh, a Taiwanese co-conspirator of Roka, was given 14 years and six months for distribut
ion of a Category 2 narcotic. The court said all of the district court’s sentences are subject to appeal.

Details of the Shilin District Court ruling:

– Defendant: Chhetri Ganesh Roka.

– Evidence: 291 plants seized in raids in Taoyuan and New Taipei.

– Estimated value: NT$20 million (US$650,852).

– Sentence: 10 years and six months in prison.

Background on prior case and fugitive status:

– Earlier conviction finalized July 2020 for possession of 29 plants and five seedlings.

– Original sentence from that case: seven years and six months.

– Roka failed to report to begin that sentence and was a fugitive until his January apprehension.

Arrest and links to other defendants:

– Arresting unit: Third Special Police Corps.

– Raid location leading to arrest: cannabis farm in Tamsui District run by Santiago Alfonso Balado Yrizar.

– Role attributed to Roka: supplier of plants and equipment to the farm.

Charges and outcomes for Santiago Alfonso Balado Yrizar:

– Convictions: manufacturing marijuana; using a fake license plate.

– Sentences: 22 months and two months.

– Suspension: both sentences suspended for five years due to cooperation with police.

Conviction and sentence for Ma Yu-chieh:

– Charge: distribution of a Category 2 narcotic.

– Sentence: 14 years and six months in prison.

Appeals:

– The district court stated that all sentences are subject to appeal.