HYOGO (TR) – Hyogo Prefectural Police on Monday announced the arrest of five Vietnamese nationals for the cultivation of marijuana in Himeji City, reports the Sankei Shibun (Dec. 22).
Between August of last year and November, the suspects are alleged to have operated a grow house for 356 marijuana plants (with an estimated street value of 133 million yen) inside a two-floor residence in the Toyotomicho area.
Police first arrested three of the suspects in November. During the investigation it was later learned that a married Vietnamese couple, aged 33 and 32, rented the residence to the other suspects while knowing its intended purpose.
The wife, who has been charged with cultivating the illegal drug for the purpose of sale, has denied the allegations, telling police that she had no knowledge of the illegal activity.
