A Thai woman has been remanded this week, by a court in Taiwan after allegedly attempting to smuggle 72 capsules of heroin inside her body through Kaohsiung International Airport.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said the woman, identified only as Ms A, was arrested on 6 April after investigators received information that foreigners were trying to bring drugs into Taiwan concealed in luggage or inside their bodies.
Heroin capsules found after hospital treatment
The Kaohsiung Criminal Investigation Team said Ms A had swallowed 72 oval-shaped heroin capsules, with a combined weight of 289.1 grams and an estimated value of about NT$3.6 million.
Each capsule was wrapped in plastic and tightly sealed. Officials said the method posed an exceptionally high risk: if stomach acid had damaged the outer wrapping, the drugs could have leaked into her body and caused a fatal overdose.
Picture courtesy of Matichon
Ms A was taken to hospital, where officers gave her medication to help the capsules pass naturally. It took 10 days for all of the capsules to be expelled, the investigation team said.
Officers maintained round-the-clock watch
Authorities said Ms A works as a Muay Thai instructor and had greater-than-average strength and physical fitness. Officers therefore maintained close supervision and control around the clock while she was receiving treatment.
She has been transferred for legal action under Taiwan's narcotics prevention and control laws. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office has now completed its case file and brought charges before the court, which has ordered her remanded while proceedings continue.
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20 August 2026
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