TOKYO (TR) – An anti-organized crime division of the Metropolitan Police Department has charged two Nepalese nationals in the alleged smuggling and possession of nearly 20 kilograms of marijuana and its resin, some of which was concealed inside traditional drums, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Feb. 23).
On December 30, 2016, the pair, a 27-year-old woman and 29-year-old man, the pair allegedly smuggled 3.5 kilograms of marijuana resin concealed inside 55 Nepalese drums from India as air cargo through Narita International Airport.
The day before, the suspects also shipped some three kilograms of marijuana resin by air through the same airport. The contraband was seized by customs officers at the airport on January 4, police said.
Police later raided the suspects’ apartment in Shinjuku Ward and found 12.1 kilograms of marijuana stashed above a bathroom ceiling after following up on information provided by customs officials.
The suspects, who were charged with violating the Cannabis Control Law, have admitted to the charges.
According to police, the 18.6 kilograms of marijuana seized has a street value of 148.9 million yen.
