New Taipei:Taipei A prosecutor from the Taipei District Prosecutors Office has been granted an 18-month deferred prosecution for drug use and is required to undergo addiction treatment, as announced by the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office on Thursday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the prosecutor, identified by the surname Liu, admitted to using narcotics and has submitted his resignation, which is being expedited by the Ministry of Justice. Liu is currently on leave and suspended from his duties pending the formal acceptance of his resignation.

The Taipei office initiated an internal investigation on October 5 after Liu tested positive for narcotics. A duty assessment committee determined that Liu's actions constituted misconduct and violated the Judges Act, thereby damaging the integrity and public trust in the prosecutorial office. The case has been referred to the Prosecutors Evaluation Commission for further review.

Liu was initially questioned by police on February 27 in New Taipei's Luzhou District when officers approached him and a friend over suspicions regarding the friend's use of a banned e-cigarette. During the encounter, police discovered a bag with methamphetamine residue in Liu's backpack, and subsequent tests showed he was positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

Prosecutors noted that Liu expressed remorse, admitted to drug use, and consented to addiction treatment. Given his lack of prior criminal history related to narcotics, his prosecution was deferred. Throughout the 18-month deferral, Liu is required to complete addiction treatment at a designated medical institution, undergo drug testing, and report regularly to his probation officer.