Police in Japan arrested two American women for allegedly smuggling about 30kg of cannabis worth around ¥150 million (about S$1.2 million) into the country.
The two 25-year-olds, identified as Cartron Jamere Bourbon Castillo and Jocelyn Dizon Natividad Patrin, arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from New York on 5 Sept with two suitcases containing what police described as “cannabis-like dried plants”.
Source: ANN News
A Tokyo police spokesperson said the women allegedly worked with an unidentified third party in the smuggling operation.
Both suspects accepted the job after being promised covered flights and lodging alongside a monetary payout.
According to local media reports, Bourbon told police that she accepted the job because of the payment and the chance to travel to Japan for free.
Source: ANN News
The other suspect denied the allegations, claiming she did not know the suitcase contained cannabis.
Police arrested both women on suspicion of violating Japan’s drugs and psychotropics control law, including allegedly smuggling narcotics for profit.
Japan has some of the world’s strictest drug regulations, with possession and smuggling of illegal narcotics carrying severe penalties.
Source: Japan Guide
Authorities said cannabis smuggling for profit can result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to ¥3 million (around S$24,700).
Foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offences may also be denied entry into Japan, with no fixed exclusion period specified under the law.
This means those convicted could potentially face entry restrictions for decades after serving their sentence, depending on immigration authorities’ decisions.
Police are continuing investigations into the alleged operation and the unidentified person believed to be involved.
Also read: Man caught smuggling 3kg of meth from Thailand to Japan, denies knowing contents were drugs
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Featured image adapted from ANN News.