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Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
soranews24.com • • world
Key Points:
- Two U.S. citizens were arrested at Haneda Airport in Japan on September 5 after customs officials found 35 bags of dried cannabis, weighing about 30 kilograms and valued at approximately $1 million, hidden in their luggage.
- One suspect, aged 25, admitted to smuggling and said she accepted the job to have her airfare and accommodation covered while fulfilling her desire to visit Japan; the other suspect denies the charges.
- Japan enforces strict drug laws with severe penalties, including up to 10 years imprisonment and fines for importing cannabis, and suspects can be held without charge for up to 23 days amid a conviction rate of around 99%.
- Foreign nationals convicted of drug offenses in Japan may face indefinite bans from re-entry, with no statutory expiration on exclusion periods, affecting even high-profile celebrities with prior drug convictions.
- Visitors are strongly warned against attempting to bring cannabis into Japan due to harsh legal consequences and the country's stringent drug enforcement policies.
