in april and june 2009, batches of "red bull cola" drinks imported from austria were found to contain between 0.1 - 0.3 micrograms of cocaine per litre, according to hong kong officials. in taiwan it was found that the importer was due to launch a marketing campaign the next day. importing cocaine to the island is an offense that is punishable by death or a life sentence in prison. in germany, 11 out of 16 states had already banned the drinks by may 25, 2009.