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Stimulant drug seizures approach record levels

"The volume of stimulant drugs smuggled into Japan and seized by police nation-wide in the first three months of the year totaled 650 kg, almost equaling the largest amount ever confiscated in a full year, the National Police Agency said Saturday. The high volume reflects large seizures in Shimane and Kanagawa prefectures, the NPA said in a report. The record amount seized in a full year was 650.8 kg in 1996.

The report said police in Shimane, Hiroshima and Chiba prefectures jointly seized 101 kg of amphetamine stimulants smuggled into Shimane Prefecture by a Honduras-registered ship Jan. 7. Police in Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures also jointly seized 202.6 kg of amphetamines Feb. 1 smuggled into Yokohama port from China on a large cargo ship. Osaka police seized 210 kg March 31.

The NPA, which has cut off several drug supply routes since last summer, said the actual amount of drugs smuggled into Japan is probably more than estimates made by police because street prices of stimulants have fallen in recent months, suggesting an increase in supply. According to police, almost all stimulant drugs that find their way into Japan are made in China. In most cases, Japanese criminal gangs smuggle them in by freighter after establishing supply routes with Chinese groups. An NPA affiliate estimates that there are about 2.2 million users of stimulant drugs in Japan. The current street value of stimulant drugs is about Y2,000 per 0.03 gram, about one-fifth what it was 20 years ago."

Japan Times,
April 4, 1999


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See also: Stimulant drugs in Japan.


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