Taipei police have taken down a drug network run through messaging apps, arresting its alleged boss and seizing a large stash of drugs and cash — a win for law enforcement and a blow to the gang.

• Officers traced a small-time user's phone up the chain to a man surnamed Tsai, accused of running the operation.
• He is alleged to have sold heroin, meth, etomidate vape pods and drug-laced coffee sachets over messaging apps.
• Police staked out his rented home in New Taipei's Zhonghe district and grabbed him as he was about to drive off.
• The haul included 604 grams of heroin, 402 grams of meth, scales, packing gear, a money counter and NT$2 million in cash.

Outlook: Tsai has been handed to prosecutors on drug charges, and police say they will keep working both up and down the chain to dismantle the rest of the ring.