OSAKA (TR) – An American man has been arrested and indicted for smuggling approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine into Kansai International Airport.
The bust marks the largest illicit drug haul ever seized from a single passenger’s hand luggage at the facility, reports Kansai TV (Aug. 13).
Giovanni Duck Fan, 26, is accused of bringing the kakuseizai (methamphetamnine) — with an estimated street value of 1.1 billion yen — into Japan from the United States on July 10. The contraband was found wrapped in plastic wrap and concealed inside his carry-on suitcase and a backpack.
According to police and customs officials, the suspect’s erratic behavior tipped off authorities. Upon arriving at the immigration checkpoint, Fan was observed in a highly agitated state with his eyes wide open. Suspicious customs agents subjected his luggage to an X-ray inspection, which quickly revealed the massive stash of drugs.
Police have declined to disclose whether the suspect has admitted to the charges.
Given the unprecedented volume of the seized narcotics, authorities are continuing their investigation, suspecting the involvement of a large-scale, organized drug smuggling syndicate.
