Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested two 25-year-old American women accused of jointly smuggling about 30 kilograms of dried marijuana worth approximately 150 million yen (about 32.2 million baht) into Japan, concealed in two suitcases. One suspect confessed, stating she accepted the job because she was paid and liked that someone covered her travel expenses to Japan for free.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested two 25-year-old American women on suspicion of smuggling approximately 30 kilograms of dried marijuana into Japan for sale. The marijuana's retail value is about 150 million yen, roughly 32.2 million baht.
Police revealed the two suspects traveled from New York City to Tokyo's Haneda Airport on 5 September, carrying two suitcases containing dried marijuana divided into 35 smaller bags.
Haneda Airport customs officials detected irregularities during baggage inspection and found the marijuana. They then notified police, who arrested the suspects. Police stated that the two likely served as drug couriers for an unknown mastermind.
According to police, the suspects received orders from a man they met via social media. This man instructed them to bring the suitcases from New York to Japan, offering to cover their travel expenses and pay them.
One suspect, identified by Japanese media as Catron Jamir Berben Castillo, admitted the charges to police. She said she accepted the job because she would be paid and was especially interested in the offer to travel to Japan without paying travel costs. She acknowledged the risks but chose to accept the job for the free trip.
The other suspect, Jocelyn Dyson Natividad Patrin, denied the charges, claiming she was unaware marijuana was hidden in the suitcase. The two are friends, and police believe the second suspect may have been responsible for monitoring and overseeing the drug transport under the mastermind's instructions.
Police said both were arrested for violating Japan's drug control and customs laws by importing marijuana for profit. They noted that others are involved in the conspiracy, but their identities remain unknown.
Japan has very strict drug laws. Importing, possessing, or selling illegal drugs carries prison sentences. Smuggling marijuana for commercial purposes or profit can result in up to 10 years in prison and fines up to 3 million yen (about 640,000 baht). Police continue investigating to identify and arrest the masterminds and others involved in the marijuana smuggling operation.
.sourceTokyo Reporter/Nikkei/news.yahoo