TOKYO (TR) – Prosecutors have formally indicted a 27-year-old Roppongi hostess and influencer for violating the Narcotics Control Law after a raid of her residence last month yielded a stash of illicit drugs, reports TV Asahi (Oct. 6).
Rino Tazawa, who operates online under the moniker “Yamato Rino,” was charged Tuesday afternoon with possessing approximately 0.024 grams of ketamine at her apartment in Minato Ward in September, alongside a 28-year-old male company executive.
Although Tazawa and the man were initially arrested on suspicion of possessing approximately 0.4 grams of cocaine, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office stated that the decision to indict them for ketamine possession was based on “an assessment of the evidence available at this time.”
The influencer previously captured national attention — and sparked public backlash — when she was filmed sticking her tongue out and winking at press cameras while being transferred in police custody.
Following her indictment, investigative sources revealed the reasoning behind her bizarre behavior. When questioned about the cheeky pose, Tazawa reportedly told authorities, “I did it because I was very mentally unstable at the time.”
The September raid also yielded 21 bags of a powder suspected to be cocaine. Authorities also pressed the suspect on why she held onto the bags.
According to sources, Tazawa admitted she kept the contraband out of paranoia, telling investigators, “I was scared that if I threw the bags away, I would be found out.”
