British man, 76, suspected of smuggling 1 kg of meth into Fukuoka
FUKUOKA (TR) – Law enforcement here has announced the arrest of a 76-year-old British man over the alleged smuggling of over 1 kilogram of methamphetamine from inside a travel bag, reports Nippon News Network (June 3).
ON May 14, William John Brian Barnes allegedly concealed 1.2 kilograms of kakuseizai inside a travel bag for the purpose of sale upon arrival at Fukoka Airport on a flight from South Korea.
The contraband has a street value of 73.5 million yen, according to customs officials.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of violating the Stimulants Control Act, Barnes denied the allegations, saying he received the bag from a man he knows in South Africa. 'I bought this bag and brought it in, but I didn't know that there were stimulant drugs in it,' he said.
According to sources, the large amount of methamphetamine was hidden on both sides of the leather bag.
Police are investigating an organized crime ring is connected to the incident.
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