Prosecutor Shu Ching-Han of the Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office, leading a joint investigation with the Taoyuan City Police Department's Dayuan Precinct and the Changhua County Police Department's Hemei Precinct, has concluded a significant human trafficking and drug case involving missing migrant workers. The defendants, Ruan O-Yeh, Chen O-Chian, and Liu O-Da (all Vietnamese migrant workers, with the latter two being undocumented), have been indicted on charges including aggravated deprivation of personal liberty under Article 302-1, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code; attempted sexual exploitation for consideration by means of improper debt bondage or exploiting a person's inability, ignorance, or difficulty in seeking help, under Article 29, Paragraphs 3 and 1 of the Human Trafficking Prevention Act; and possession of Category 2 and Category 3 narcotics with intent to sell, under Article 5, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.The prosecution notes that the three defendants deliberately exploited the vulnerable circumstances of migrant workers, who are often isolated and face significant challenges in a foreign country. They allegedly coerced victims into sexual acts for profit. Furthermore, for illicit personal gain, they purchased large quantities of drugs with the intent to sell, thereby harming the health of Taiwanese citizens. Due to the severity of these offenses, the prosecution has recommended that the court impose sentences of two to seven years of imprisonment, reflecting public legal sentiment.

Defendant Ruan O-Yeh, knowing that victim A (a Vietnamese undocumented migrant worker) was in a vulnerable situation due to a debt dispute, colluded with Vietnamese national Ding O-Jing (currently wanted by Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office) and others on the afternoon of October 13, 2024, they forcibly dragged the victim into a car in Dayuan District, Taoyuan City. Upon witnessing this, citizens immediately reported the incident to the police. To evade detection by the prosecution and police, Ruan O-Yeh and his accomplices continuously changed vehicles along the way and transported the victim to a corrugated iron shed in Shengang Township, Changhua County, intending to force the victim into sexual acts to repay the debt. Even when the police contacted the victim, the defendants monitored her and demanded that she lie to the police, claiming her safety was not at risk. However, the prosecution and police remained vigilant and continued their search for the victim. The victim eventually seized an opportunity to escape at noon on October 16, 2024, while defendants Chen O-Chian and others were unconscious after using drugs. The prosecutor immediately directed the police to conduct a search of the defendants' premises that same evening. They seized a total of 3.4 kilograms of Category2 and Category3 narcotics, along with a sealing machine, packaging tools, packaging bags, scales, and ledgers. Defendants Ruan O-Yeh, Chen O-Chian, and Liu O-Da were subsequently detained and held incommunicado following questioning by the prosecutor and a court order.

Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office urges foreign migrant workers to reside and work legally in Taiwan to avoid becoming undocumented and vulnerable to exploitation. This office will continue to collaborate closely with relevant law enforcement agencies to rigorously investigate cases that jeopardize the personal safety and property of foreign migrant workers, combat human trafficking crimes, and intensify efforts to crack down on drugs to maintain social order.