Taiwan's military authority is drug testing servicemen after paraphernalia and an, as yet, unidentified substance was found at an air base.

Authorities of Ching Chuan Kang air base on Monday discovered white powder, which they suspect is narcotics, and equipment possibly used for consuming drugs, in a patrol.

The island's defense authority said late Tuesday that it had organized a special work team including medical staff and lawyers to investigate the case. All servicemen at the base will be tested for drugs.

The authority vowed harsh punishment of those who test positive for drugs, regardless of their ranks.

Local media reported that narcotics had been found "more than once" at the base, which hosts about 1,700 military staff.

Source: Xinhua