TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Customs authorities have arrested a 28-year-old Canadian man for allegedly trying to smuggle nearly 2 kilograms of methamphetamine into Japan through the postal mail.
On two occasions in September, Quiroga Silva Facundo, allegedly worked with others to send around 1.9 kilograms of kakuseizai (methamphetamine) from Canada through the postal mail to a minpaku lodges in Tokyo’s Kita and Sumida wards that he had rented.
The contraband has a street value of 115 million yen, authorities said.
Tokyo Customs sent him to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Customs Act on Tuesday. He was first arrested and indicted for violating the Stimulants Control Act last month.
“I have a debt of around 30 million yen,” the defendant said. “I came to Japan to pick up the stimulants, and delivered and stored them at locations as instructed.”
Additional 2 kilograms
The methamphetamine was placed in envelopes and disguised as documents. Tokyo Customs, however, intercepted the shipment and switched the contents before arresting the recipient.
According to Tokyo Customs, the man arrived in Japan in August and stayed at more than 10 short-term rental lodgings. It is believed that he was attempting to avoid detection by picking up shipments at private lodgings at the direction of an international criminal group.
It is believed that the stimulants were delivered to people and places designated by the masterminds of the group. Another approximately 2 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized from a coin-operated locker at a station in Tokyo.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police are continuing the investigation.
