Drug Smugglers’ Tricks and Cannabis Temptation

A Controlled Delivery Operation That Nearly Ended in Failure?

The fourth method of smuggling, international mail, is handled through controlled delivery investigations. Currently, the aforementioned illicit drug detection devices are in use. Prior to the advent of this equipment, X-ray machines were the mainstay, and sometimes drug-sniffing dogs played the role.

International mail crimes have also been occurring since my time in the field, and this is no different today. The drugs involved ranged from methamphetamine to marijuana, cocaine, MDMA, and even dangerous drugs. There are three cases that remain vivid in my memory.

The first was the smuggling of marijuana by two Brazilians via international mail on multiple occasions in 2003. The marijuana was found between postcards in regular airmail. In the case of the Brazilians, the mail was delivered to a mailbox in a vacant apartment in Shiga Prefecture, but no one knew who the recipients were. After a persistent investigation, two Brazilians surfaced and were arrested.

The second case involved the smuggling of approximately 600 grams of marijuana resin counterfeit in crayons from Thailand by a Japanese man in his 40s living in Kyoto City. In this case, an international parcel was used, took the postal route, and was delivered to the destination in the early morning hours. However, time passed without any further activity, and it was almost dusk when we made a hasty raid on the residence. However, the parcel was left unopened and in a messy state at the bottom of the stairs on the first floor.

The mere fact that it was left unopened does not corroborate the connection between the occupants of this room and the crayon-shaped marijuana resin. However, during a subsequent search of the room, approximately 10 grams of marijuana was found. That was a major piece of evidence. As the conductor, I gained confidence that even if the man denied the existence of the marijuana resin, there would be no problem with the trial. In the end, we were able to settle both cases by catching him red-handed in possession of the marijuana resin in the parcel and the marijuana from the room. This was a very successful case, and for that reason it is still a very memorable offense for me.