Amid the rapid increase in illegal drug smuggling against the backdrop of the relaxation of border measures for the new coronavirus, a meeting was held in Tokyo where representatives from related agencies involved in drug investigations, such as Tokyo Customs and the Metropolitan Police Department, gathered together to share the latest smuggling methods and confirm that they will work together to strengthen the crackdown.
More than 7 people from 12 agencies, including the Tokyo Customs, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Narcotics Control Division of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, attended the meeting held in Koto Ward, Tokyo on the 60th, and Nobuyuki Masami, Director of the Investigation Department of Tokyo Customs, said, "As the number of people entering the country from overseas recovers, the number of drug smuggling cases is increasing dramatically.
According to Tokyo Customs, 221 drug smuggling cases were detected in the first half of this year, the highest number in the past five years, and the number of cases where foreigners smuggle illegal drugs hidden in airplane baggage is particularly increasing.
The meeting was held behind closed doors, but they shared the latest smuggling tactics, such as using a double-bottomed suitcase to hide drugs and soaking a carpet with methamphetamine.
"The number of smuggling cases suspected of involving overseas criminal organizations is increasing," said Masami, head of the Tokyo Customs Department's Investigation Department, "and we would like to work together with relevant agencies to strengthen the crackdown."