Family of 3 Indians facing life sentence in Taiwan on drugs charges

TAIPEI — Taiwanese investigators have cracked a drugs ring seizing three locals and a family of three Indians on charges of smuggling heroin onto the island, an offence punishable by life imprisonment, officials said Wednesday.

The family members — a 69-year-old man, his 74-year-old wife and 52-year-old daughter — were arrested at a hotel in central Taipei Monday after the seizure of the alleged mastermind, a Taiwanese man surnamed Tsai and his accomplice, as well as 3.7 kilograms (8.14 pounds) of heroin.

A third Taiwanese suspect was arrested at an airport Tuesday while attempting to flee the island, officials at the Investigation Bureau said.

The Indians told the investigators that they had been given $12,000 as a reward by the ring for the smuggling job, the sixth one done by them, said officials.

Under Taiwan’s anti-drug laws, transporting heroin is punishable by life imprisonment.

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