OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested eight Vietnamese nationals on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine inside a karaoke parlor in Osaka City, authorities announced on Wednesday, reports Mainichi Broadcasting System (Aug. 5).
The suspects, who include 23-year-old unemployed Phan Van Huy and 23-year-old Kyoto-based construction worker Nguyen Tuan Dat, are accused of violating the Stimulants Control Law.
At approximately 1:45 a.m. on June 28, the group was allegedly found in possession of 0.228 grams of kakuseizai (methamphetamine) crystals inside a fourth-floor karaoke room in the Nishi-Shinsaibashi area of Chuo Ward.
Police raided the establishment that same day, seizing a large quantity of powdery substances suspected to be illegal narcotics. After tests confirmed a portion of the seized powders contained stimulants, authorities moved to arrest the eight men, who were occupying the room as customers. Investigators noted that some of the drugs appeared to have already been consumed.
Phan was initially taken into custody on the day of the raid for illegally overstaying his visa in violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, a charge for which he has already been indicted.
Police have not disclosed whether the suspects have admitted to the drug allegations, but investigations are ongoing to determine if the men were actively using the narcotics during their karaoke session.
