Taiwanese man arrested for smuggling two kg of meth across Vietnam-Cambodia border

Chen Wei Cheng was caught by border guards during an operation set up by the Special Drug and Crime Prevention Team of the Tay Ninh Border Guard and local police.

The task force, acting on surveillance, ambushed Chen as he illegally crossed the border around 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Authorities found 2 kg of methamphetamine hidden in tea packets in his possession.

Chen Wei Cheng is arrested with the meth he smuggled into Vietnam from Cambodia at a border station in Tay Ninh Province, Sept. 17, 2024. Photo by Tay Ninh Border Guard

Chen admitted to being hired by a Cambodian individual to deliver the drugs to Ho Chi Minh City in exchange for payment.

Vietnam enforces some of the strictest drug laws in the world, including the death penalty for those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine, or over 2.5 kg of methamphetamine. The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other narcotics also carries the death penalty.