Job Discussion Forums

[Willy_In_Japan]

I saw this article on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation website.

Pretty scary stuff.

Canadian faces death penalty in Taiwan for drug smuggling
Last Updated Mon, 29 Aug 2005 21:18:44 EDT
CBC News
A former resident of British Columbia is in jail and facing the death penalty in Taiwan after being charged with smuggling and trafficking cocaine.

28-year-old Mathieu Forand was allegedly found with cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana at a party in his home in Taipei.

Friends said Forand has been teaching English in Taiwan for several years.

They say the prosecution is pushing for the death penalty or 25 years in prison, while Forand's lawyer is arguing for a sentence of 10 to 15 years.

His father, Peter Forand of Port Moody, B.C., fears his son may have signed a confession so his visitors wouldn't be caught up in the prosecution.

Taiwan is one of 58 countries worldwide that imposes capital punishment, and drug crimes there are subject to the death penalty.

[Miyazaki]

Lots of Canadians smoking dope and doing other drugs here in Taiwan.

What is "Special K?"

I've seen EFL'ers here outside bars snorting that.

[PAULH]

posted on the same forum

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=28836

[teacha]

special k is short for ketamine ehich is a traquiizer mostly for cats. It has very strong side effects of being tired and most of the kids in one art class I was in durring HS took it and hte teacher used to make fun of them openly when they were "in a K hole" (hung over). He was cool.

[DanLaverick]

Ketamine is actually a horse tranquilizer. I wouldn't advise taking something that is designed to knock out a stallion.

[wood]

Things can get pretty scary when you break the law, no matter where you are.

[Aristotle]

For many years at Christmas we would bring food to non Chinese prisoners being held at the Taipei prison.
99% of the foreign inmates in Taiwanese prisons are there on drug convictions.
Average sentence for minor possession of paraphernalia is 7 to 10 years. For those lucky enough to have some quanxi or money, much of that sentence is waived and the convicts are deported.
For those who are not so lucky or worse yet had the gumption to plead not guilty and fight the charges, the sentences are much harsher.

This is what has been made public so far in this case.

Three, non Chinese nationals have been charged.

These teachers were legally employed for over two years as ESL teachers in Keelung.

At least one of the teachers charged had a police record for drug possession in Canada.

A large amount of video and surveillance evidence has been collected by the occupational police authority on Taiwan.

A local Mando-Pop star has also been questioned in this case.

They will get a harsh sentence once they have been convicted (20 years to life).
I think many of the readers on this board and others on Taiwan should pay a little more attention to where they are and what is going on around them ( if they aren't too high that is).
Welcome to Taiwan!
A.

[Pop Fly]

[Welshguy]

Ketamine is indeed a horse tranquilizer. Dont know if any cat short of a Lion could stand a shot of that stuff. It messes with the machine code of your mind, which can be a good thing depending on your standpoint of course.

The Taiwanese simply wouldn't dare to execute a white foreigner. There will be a show trial an inhuman sentence and they will probably end up in the foreigners jail over the road from the Taipei hostel. Its a moot point which is the best place to be banged up in actually!!! However there will be a commute on the Presidents mistress's cousins third kids birthday at some time a lot shorter than 20 years. This aint Malaysia or Singapore.
Sentence and deportation six months later is much more likely. Natch my opinion will not cover every case but I'd give them a better shot than this aristotle bloke for sure.

Free the Weed.
W

[Aristotle]

[clark.w.griswald]