U.S. Women Arrested for Alleged M Cannabis Smuggling to Japan, One Claims Free Trip Was Motive

U.S. Women Arrested for Alleged $1M Cannabis Smuggling to Japan, One Claims Free Trip Was Motive

Two U.S. women arrested in Tokyo for smuggling $1M cannabis, one claims free trip was incentive. Japan's strict drug laws under scrutiny.

Editorial Desk

September 11, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Tokyo, Japan — Two American women were taken into custody by Japanese authorities for allegedly smuggling a large quantity of cannabis valued at approximately $1 million into the country.

The suspects, both 25 years old, arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from New York last Saturday with two suitcases that contained hidden quantities of what appeared to be dried cannabis plants, according to a police spokesperson who spoke to AFP.

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Media outlets such as Nippon TV have reported that the seized drugs weighed around 30 kilograms and were worth roughly 150 million yen. One of the women reportedly told investigators she was drawn to the opportunity due to the promise of a free trip to Japan, while the other denied any knowledge of the drugs in her luggage, citing lack of awareness.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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