FUKUOKA (TR) – Police have arrested an 84-year-old Frenchman for allegedly smuggling the drug ketamine into Japan in a suitcase, reports NHK (Apr. 25).
On April 10, John Joseph Marie Villedy allegedly concealed about 5 kilograms of the drug ketamine inside a suitcase at Fukuoka Airport upon arrival on a flight from France.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act, Villedy denied the charges. “I didn’t know that the drug ketamine was in my suitcase.”
According to authorities, the suitcase had a double-layered bottom. The ketamine was hidden inside, separated into plastic bags wrapped with tape.
Customs officials discovered the contraband during an immigration inspection.
This is the largest amount ever seized in a single transaction by the Fukuoka Prefectural Police.
Police plan to further investigate how the suspect obtained the drug.
