Investigators in Kaohsiung delve into suspected illegal operations at the gravel pit in Meinong, dubbed the 'Grand Canyon'.
In a recent turn of events, Kaohsiung City Councilor Cheng Meng-ju has accused Chinese Nationalist Party Legislator Ko Chih-en of deceiving the public with a 'fake expose' of polluted farmland in Meinong. The accusations stem from allegations that Ko colluded with Shih, an aide to independent City Councilor Chu Hsin-chiang, to fabricate the expose in order to shift blame onto the Kaohsiung City Government and boost Ko's publicity for next year's mayoral race.
However, Ko denies these claims, accusing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of spreading malicious rumours and distorting the facts. She maintains that the environmental damage to the land is a serious issue that demands attention.
The alleged illegal operation involved dump trucks carrying construction waste, which were used to conceal the operation by backfilling. Suspects, who are said to be opponents of organized crime in the sectors of construction, mining, and transportation companies involved in illegal sand mining in Meinong District, include local business owners and unions resisting illegal operations.
Prosecutors claim that a landowner couple, identified as Wang, along with unnamed parties, engaged in illegal gravel excavation on farmland and state-owned plots without permits. An estimated 1.3 million cubic meters of gravel were illegally removed and sold, generating profits of approximately NT$300 million.
The suspects are also alleged to have earned additional millions by arranging for construction firms to dump waste into open pits, collecting fees per truckload. This illegal activity not only poses a significant environmental threat but also raises concerns about the integrity of the local government and its oversight of such operations.
As the investigation continues, the public awaits further developments in this case, hoping for transparency and accountability in the management of Kaohsiung's resources.
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