Zhang Xia-dong, a Taiwanese gang leader known by the alias Liu Ming-chung, was arrested on Thursday night in Makati City, Philippines. The arrest came after a joint operation by the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
Zhang had been evading authorities since March 2023 following a raid on his condominium. In that raid, police seized a significant cache of weapons, including submachine guns, rifles, handguns, and ammunition, as well as evidence of telecom fraud and drug trafficking activities.
Zhang had been a fugitive after the raid, which led to the capture of his accomplices, one of whom, Chen Chien-ning, had been sought by Taiwanese authorities for over 20 years. Zhang now faces multiple charges in Taiwan, including smuggling, and could face up to 18 years in prison.