A series of raids by Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) today uncovered Taiwan’s first case of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) manufacturing.

DMT, a drug traditionally associated with South American shamanic practices, induces powerful psychedelic experiences.

A man in Taichung surnamed Tsai, was found in possession of 170 kilograms of the finished product, along with 450 kilograms of the raw material. DMT is manufactured from the bark of acacia trees, which are abundant in the mountains of Taiwan.

Tsai was busted after an investigation that began in June last year. Australian Police tipped off the Taiwan CIB after finding DMT smuggled in air-freighted containers sent from Taiwan.

Tsai is believed to have shipped the product to many countries including Australia, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Kazakhstan.

Tsai said he learned to make DMT from the Internet, and used ebay to earn 80-100,000NTD per month.

Tsai has an engineering background, and previously worked for “a technology giant” at Hsinchu Science Park, according to various reports in Taiwan’s Chinese-language media.

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