Two American women, both 25, were arrested at Tokyo's Haneda airport after arriving from New York with two suitcases, AFP reported in September 2026.
About 30 kilograms of dried cannabis was reportedly found, valued by media at roughly 150 million yen. Police cited suspicion of profit-motivated smuggling under Japan's drug control law, plus two other laws that were not named. They said the pair conspired with a third party who has not been identified.
One woman reportedly told police she took the job for money and a free trip. The other reportedly denies knowing there was cannabis in the bag. The report says profit-motivated smuggling is reported to carry up to 10 years in prison.
The women are not named. These are allegations, and no conviction has been reported.
Why it matters: The offer of a free trip in exchange for carrying a bag is at the center of this case. Japan's airports screen arriving luggage, and being unaware of the contents is a claim a court must weigh.
Source: Malay Mail (AFP wire), 2026-09-11. Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this reporting. An arrest or charge is not proof of guilt.