CHIBA (TR) – Tokyo Customs officials arrested a German national at Narita International Airport after melted stimulant drugs were found concealed in a suitcase, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Aug. 25).
On August 4, Peter Boekelman, a 42-year-old restaurant employee, arrived at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture with a suitcase containing 7.5 kilograms of stimulant drugs and a resin melted together and concealed in the side of the luggage.
Boekelman, who has been charged with violating the Stimulants Control Law, admits to the allegations. “I carried it because I was offered a lot of money,” the suspect is quoted. According to Fuji News Network (Aug. 26), the suspect claims the amount was one million yen, with the suitcase having been obtained from a male acquaintance from the Middle East in Germany.
Upon the Boekelman’s arrival at the airport on a flight from Austria, customs officials noticed that his baggage seemed heavy. An x-ray inspection revealed the presence of the resin, which was later determined to include stimulant drugs.
According to customs officials, this is the first time that such a smuggling method has been found in Japan.
