Taiwan Collaborates with EU Countries to Successfully Complete Cross-Border Evidence Collection

In June 2024, the Ministry of Justice of Taiwan submitted a formal mutual legal assistance request to the Belgian Federal Public Service Justice for the transfer of critical drug evidence. The approved request enables a delegation from Taiwan to travel to Belgium for the purpose of collecting evidence. With the coordinated assistance of law enforcement agencies from Belgium and the Netherlands, the evidence was successfully transported to Taiwan on November 16, 2024.

This case marks a groundbreaking achievement as the first instance of cross-border evidence collection between Taiwan and a European country. Furthermore, the joint efforts of Belgium and the Netherlands in facilitating this process underscore the strength of judicial cooperation between Taiwan and European nations and highlight their shared commitment to combating transnational crime.

To ensure the legality of the evidence collection process and the smooth execution of related procedures, the International and Cross-Strait Legal Affairs Department, MOJ, Taiwan, convened an inter-agency meeting. Afterwards, a prosecutor from the Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office, accompanied by a prosecutor from the Department, led officers from the Criminal Investigation Bureau and traveled to Belgium. Following detailed arrangements by the Taiwan Police Liaison Officer stationed in the Netherlands, the delegation collaborated with relevant agencies in Belgium and the Netherlands to finalize the evidence collection process. Through these collaborative efforts, the drug samples were securely returned to Taiwan for forensic examination.

This landmark case demonstrates the robust international partnerships that are essential for addressing cross-border criminal activities. The Ministry of Justice remains committed to deepening cooperation in mutual legal assistance with global partners, fostering mutual understanding and trust to uphold judicial justice on an international scale.