Tag: drug trafficking

U.S. women arrested for allegedly smuggling $1 million worth of drugs to Japan, one claims she was motivated by free trip

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Police officers investigate a taped-off building beside a patrol car in rainy neon-lit Tokyo

Tokyo police arrested two American women for allegedly smuggling $1 million worth of cannabis into the country, with one suspect claiming she was motivated by a free trip to Japan, an official and media reports said Friday. The pair, both 25, arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda airport from New York last Saturday with two suitcases in which “cannabis-like dried plants were secretly stored,” a police spokesman told AFP. Nippon TV aired images of the drug seizure, showing more than a dozen packages containing the alleged cannabis.

Japan has some of the world’s strictest drug laws and smuggling or possession of illegal narcotics can result in a lengthy jail term. The dried cannabis weighed around 30 kilograms (66 pounds) and is valued at about 150 million yen ($970,000), media reported. One of the women told police she took the job for the money and because, “I was attracted by the fact I could go to Japan for free,” Nippon TV reported. The other suspect denies the allegation, telling police she “didn’t know that cannabis was inside” the suitcase, the Tokyo Shimbun reported, citing unnamed police sources.

The women “conspired with someone else whose name is unknown,” the police spokesman told AFP. They claimed they received instructions from a man they met on social media but never met in person, according to local media. The pair were arrested “on suspicion of violating the drugs and psychotropics control law, or, smuggling to gain profit,” the spokesman said. They also breached two other unnamed laws, he added. Smuggling cannabis for the purpose of making profit carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 3 million yen ($19,500).

Last December, prominent American playwright Jeremy O. Harris was arrested in Japan on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug ecstasy. He was released three weeks later.

Source: U.S. women arrested for allegedly smuggling $1 million worth of drugs to Japan, one claims she was motivated by free trip – CBS News

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 17:9

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Marijuana seizure: 1,800 pounds intercepted by Butts County sheriff

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Nearly 900 pounds of marijuana headed to Orlando was intercepted in Georgia as part of a larger interstate shipment, according to the Butts County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Gary Long said authorities seized approximately 1,800 pounds of marijuana in Butts County on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The shipment originated in Sacramento, California. Long said approximately half was destined for Atlanta, while the other half was headed to Orlando. The Sheriff’s Office released photos showing law enforcement officers standing behind a large pile of bags containing what authorities identified as marijuana. The agency’s statement did not identify anyone connected with the shipment, announce any arrests or charges or disclose its intended destination in Orlando.

Florida permits medical marijuana for qualified patients, but only state-licensed medical marijuana treatment centers are authorized to cultivate, process and dispense it, according to the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use. Long used the seizure to make a broader argument about marijuana legalization and the continued existence of illegal sales. “The illegal marijuana trade does not stop at the state line,” Long said. The sheriff argued that criminal operations can undercut licensed marijuana businesses because they do not pay taxes, licensing fees or regulatory expenses.

Long also said Mexican drug-trafficking organizations and other criminal groups continue to move marijuana across state lines. However, the Sheriff’s Office did not connect this shipment to a particular cartel or criminal organization. The sheriff urged Georgia lawmakers to examine the experiences of states that have legalized recreational marijuana before expanding the state’s existing medical cannabis program. Georgia allows registered patients to possess certain medical cannabis products, but recreational marijuana remains illegal.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says the state’s medical program does not legalize the possession or sale of other forms of marijuana. “Georgia, let’s get it right the first time,” Long said.

Source: Marijuana seizure: 1,800 pounds intercepted by Butts County sheriff – WDBO

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Psalm 86:5

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Northern California man arrested after major drug bust on Nebraska freeway, officials say

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bread on white plastic pack

Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) says troopers seized more than 500 pounds of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 Wednesday morning and arrested a Northern California man. The stop happened around 10:25 a.m. near Milford, Nebraska, at mile marker 382 on eastbound I-80. Troopers said a Nissan Rogue was pulled over after it was seen following a semi-truck too closely. During the stop, an NSP K9 alerted officers to the odor of a controlled substance coming from the vehicle, officials said.

A search of the SUV allegedly uncovered about 525 pounds of suspected cocaine along with 9.3 grams of suspected heroin. Booking photo of Gurarppan Gill Nebraska State Patrol The driver, identified as 23-year-old Gurarppan Gill of Yuba City, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver, NSP said. Gill was booked into the Seward County Jail in Nebraska.

Source: Northern California man arrested after major drug bust on Nebraska freeway, officials say – CBS Sacramento

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

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