As international travel becomes active again due to the easing of border measures against the novel coronavirus, the Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo Customs are reporting that there are cases in which travelers are turned into so-called "smugglers" of illegal drugs and get involved in smuggling cases. I called attention at Haneda Airport.

According to the Tokyo Customs, 72 cases of smuggling of illegal drugs such as stimulants and marijuana hidden in luggage were detected at Haneda and Narita airports last year. It has increased by 3.6 times.



Among them, the Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo Customs called attention at Haneda Airport on the 10th, saying that tourists from Japan were made to be "carriers" of illegal drugs and were involved in smuggling incidents one after another. .



In this case, I introduced a case where illegal drugs were hidden in luggage that was said to be "I want you to give a souvenir to a Japanese friend." I was calling.

Masayo Takahashi, head of the Metropolitan Police Department's drug and firearms countermeasures division, said, "As we enter the spring graduation trip season, I think there will be more opportunities for young people such as students to travel abroad, but even if someone they don't know asks them to deliver their luggage, I absolutely want you to refuse."

Increase in smuggling concealed in luggage

According to Tokyo Customs, the number of cases of smuggling illegal drugs such as stimulants and cannabis hidden in aircraft baggage at Haneda and Narita airports last year was 72, an increase of 3.6 times from the previous year.



The breakdown is 41 for stimulants, 14 for cannabis, and 14 for drugs such as cocaine.



In addition, the total seized amount was 124 kg, which is 2.4 times more than the previous year.



It is said that there were many cases where Japanese people were involved, partly because the entry of foreigners was restricted due to the border measures of the new coronavirus.



Among them, there are cases in which a local person he met while traveling asked him to deliver his luggage, and he cooperated with smuggling without realizing it. It is said that there was also a case where smuggling was approached.

Are you also a “carrier”?

"Never accept the invitation"

According to Tokyo Customs, there have been a series of cases in which travelers who have gone abroad have been caught after returning to their home country with illegal drugs hidden in their luggage.



In May of last year, a self-employed person in his 40s was approached by an acquaintance who introduced him to him, saying, "I'll pay for the airfare and hotel bills, and I'll thank you, so please go to France and pick up your luggage." It means you passed.



I received a suitcase containing groceries and sheets from a foreigner-looking man at the designated hotel and returned to Japan.



However, it turned out that about 160 million yen worth of stimulants was hidden in the formwork of the suitcase.



In some cases, people were approached as so-called “dark part-timers” who claimed high rewards on social media.



Last August, a self-employed person in his 50s found a post on social media that said, "You can get a reward of 300,000 yen." It is said that it was requested.



After that, I went to South Africa and received two books from someone who claimed to be an acquaintance of "Steve" before returning to Japan.



However, it was found that the inside of the book was hollowed out and that stimulants with a price of about 140 million yen were hidden at the end.



Both cases were arrested and prosecuted for smuggling stimulants.



Tsukasa Eguchi, Deputy Director of the Tokyo Customs Haneda Customs Branch, said, "Even if you are asked to bring your luggage to Japan as a token of gratitude, please do not keep any suspicious luggage. There is a possibility that you will be detained or detained and you will not be able to return to Japan.There are always traps in sweet talk, so please do not accept any invitation."



Customs asks you to contact the following numbers if you suspect that you may be involved in smuggling.


0120-461-961