An update on the 600 kilos of stimulants seized in Amakusa: the small fishing vessel, registered in Miyazaki, was intercepted at sea and towed to Ushibuka Port. According to the Ministry of Finance, stimulant seizures in Japan has exceeded 1 ton for three consecutive years, but by this point in 2019 has already reached 1.46 tons worth 87.6 billion yen.
This is partly due to the diversification of smuggling techniques. 2018 saw 92 aircraft passengers (down 7 from the previous year), 52 “International Mail” (up 14), and 24 “commercial cargo” (up 13). In some cases, overseas tourists became “carriers”.
It seems Kyushu is becoming the gateway for drugs. My hometown in southern California is similar, with drugs imported from China smuggled in on cheap “panga” wooden motorboats which are then abandoned. Despite losses from seizures, the profits greatly exceed this. - William
