KOROR, Palau — A Chinese national accused of attempting to smuggle methamphetamine into Palau has been held on $100,000 cash bail.

Sau Man Yiun, a traveler from China, faces charges of attempted importation and possession of a controlled substance after customs officials allegedly discovered 508 grams of methamphetamine hidden in her shoes. She remains in custody pending bail payment.

Yiun was detained on November 19 after arriving on a flight from Hong Kong. Customs Officer Lee Boy Oilouch flagged her for further screening due to inconsistencies in her travel details. Despite stating she was only transiting through Palau, Yiun’s return ticket was scheduled three days later. She also carried minimal belongings, including a single change of clothing, and was wearing men’s shoes, which aroused suspicion.

During a secondary inspection, officers discovered black plastic taped beneath the soles of her shoes. A crystalline substance inside the plastic field-tested positive for methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice.”

Authorities charged Yiun on November 20. Her next court appearance, a status conference, is scheduled for December 18.

Yiun is the second Chinese national arrested in Palau for drug-related offenses in the past two months. In October, Liu Mingkun, another visitor from China, was charged with allegedly selling methamphetamine to a confidential police informant.

Attempted Importation Of A Controlled Substance is a felony charge carrying a prison term of not less than 25 years and a fine of not less than $50,000 if convicted.  So far, no Chinese national convicted of drug offenses has served their full term in Palau.  Those convicted have been deported after months of incarceration.