Crime Japan seizes record 1 ton of cannabis valued at $35m

[thomas]

Japanese narcotics authorities announced on Wednesday that they had confiscated 1.046 tons of cannabis, with an estimated street value of around 5.2 billion yen ($35 million), in what they described as the country's largest-ever single drug seizure. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Narcotics Control Department, three Vietnamese nationals were arrested for allegedly smuggling cannabis in a shipping container and storing it at a material yard in Tochigi Prefecture. The suspects have since been indicted for violating Japan's narcotics control law.

One ton of seized cannabis displayed in Tokyo on 13 August 2025 (photo credit: Kyodo)

Record 1 ton of cannabis, worth $35 mil., seized in Japan

Japanese narcotics agents said Wednesday they have seized 1.046 tons of cannabis worth about 5.2 billion yen ($35 million) on the street, marking Japan's largest-ever single-raid illegal drug haul.

english.kyodonews.net

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

If convicted, any idea what the maximum sentence they might face would be?

 

[thomas]

日本の麻薬取締法における大麻関連の罰則は、懲役刑が中心ですが、営利目的の場合には罰金刑が併科されることもあります。具体的には、大麻の所持、譲渡、譲受、栽培、輸出入などが規制対象となり、営利目的の場合にはより重い刑罰が科せられます。

罰金刑について
大麻取締法違反で、特に営利目的の場合には、懲役刑に加えて罰金刑が科されることがあります。例えば、営利目的で大麻を所持していた場合、7年以下の懲役に加えて200万円以下の罰金が科される可能性があります。また、営利目的で大麻を栽培、輸出入した場合には、10年以下の懲役に加えて300万円以下の罰金が科される可能性があります。

"Cultivation, import, or export of cannabis for commercial purposes may be punished by imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 3 million yen."

I'm unsure whether other laws apply, but this seems too lenient given the contraband.

 

[Lothor]

For a country with almost no users of marijuana, that seems like a ridiculously large amount to smuggle into Japan. I imagine it would keep the country's tiny population of tokers stoned for decades!

 

[Ukigumo]

I can't imagine Japanese people getting stoned……it must be for the foreigners.

 

[thomas]

I can't imagine Japanese people getting stoned…

This was my first thought when I read your post. I need some rest.

 

[Ukigumo]

"Ooo he said Yahweh!"

 

[johnnyG]

OTOH, I would say, "Yowser!"

 

[johnnyG]

View attachment 131214

This was my first thought when I read your post. I need some rest.

 

[musicisgood]

In Thailand it's legal. A joint of Thai stick cost 20baht, less then a buck.