Suspect’s freedom of movement restricted after drugs, explosives arrest

A motorcyclist was detained late last month with narcotics on his person and “possible” improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the vehicle he was driving after being pulled over by police in Taipei, the Taipei City Police Department said Sunday.

The 31-year-old suspect, surnamed Yang (?), was found to have in his possession two bags of amphetamine, five objects believed to be IEDs and 150 steel ball bearings used in the manufacture of such devices, when he was stopped at a checkpoint in the city’s Datong District on Feb. 25, police said.

Police said they stopped Yang, who has previous convictions for narcotics, because he looked suspicious.

Yang, who was unable to explain why he had the illegal items in his possession, told police he made them out of curiosity.

Yang’s case has been transferred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office forfurther investigation on charges of violating the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Actand the Controlling Guns, Ammunition and Knives Act, police said.

He has has been forbidden from moving residence and is required to be present for regular police visits, police noted.

However, if the five objects are confirmed to be explosive devices, Yang faces a minimum sentence of seven years in jail and a maximum fine of NT$30 million (US$977,000).

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel