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Mexican nationals accused in smuggling ¥16.1 billion in stimulant drugs through Yokohama

Police have seized 230 kilograms of stimulant drugs smuggled inside metal containers at the Port of Yokohama
Police have seized 230 kilograms of stimulant drugs smuggled inside metal containers at the Port of Yokohama (TV Asahi)

KANAGAWA (TR) – Two Mexican nationals are among three persons who have been accused in a smuggling operation that brought more than 200 kilograms of stimulant drugs through Yokohama, reports Fuji News Network (Mar. 7).

The suspects, including a Mexican male and female, allegedly smuggled 230 kilograms of kakuseizai, or stimulant drugs, inside 46 cylindrical metal containers, each measuring 80 centimeters long and 17 centimeters in diameter, that had been welded shut.

The drugs arrived at the Port of Yokohama in shipments on container ships from Mexico beginning in December of 2015. The contraband has an estimated street value of 16.1 billion yen.

One of the Mexican nationals, who has been charged with violating the Stimulant Drugs Control Law, claimed to have “nothing to do with smuggling” in denying the allegations, according to Kanagawa Prefectural Police, reports TV Asahi (Mar. 8).

Upon arrival at the port, the drugs were discovered by customs personnel during an x-ray check. The contraband was then removed from the containers and rock salt inserted in their place. Police then tracked the movements of the smugglers over a 95-day period, according to Nippon News Network (Mar. 7).