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Six international exchange students studying at Tohoku University in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, have been arrested on cocaine possession charges, police said Monday. Five students have admitted to using the drug which they say they obtained for free, Fuji TV reported.
The six students, whose ages range between 20 and 26, are from New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Switzerland and Sweden. They were arrested on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Law.
Three of the students reportedly took cocaine last November while visiting a nightclub in Aoba Ward. The other three are said to have used the drug at their university dormitory after receiving a small amount of the powdered substance for free.
Last month, an Australian national studying as an exchange student at Tohoku University was arrested for importing heroin by mail. Police searched his room and found 6.5 grams of cocaine. Police suspect that he may also be responsible for giving cocaine to the six exchange students.
© Japan Today
23 Comments
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Alex Einz
Talking about royally screwing up their lives....impressive
garypen
Wow. They actually named the drug! Other than "marijuana", I've only seen the generic term "stimulants" in drug bust articles.
I wonder if they will be tried and serve prison terms, if found guilty? Or, will they just be deported?
papigiulio
If my Japanese is correct, 3 of them got cocaine from the Australian at the nightclub for which he was indicted and then they searched the dorms and found more.
Alex Einz
garypen, probably depends on their council and their ignorance , they will definitely spend the time till trial end behind bars... not the best place to see cherry blossom.
Disillusioned
It’s unusual for the Japanese media to state what kind of drug they were caught with. I’m guessing it’s bevause they are foreigners. Whenever Japanese nationals get caught with drugs it’s always described as ‘stimulant drugs’.
dcog9065
Poor students, one silly mistake that will affect their lives significantly.. Just let them off with a warning FFS
Strangerland
Oh, the race card has been pulled!
Which I find confusing, seeing as all the articles I remember with foreigners being caught they used the word 'stimulants'.
Save the race card for when it's clearly racism. It dilutes it if you pull it when it's not.
Raw Beer
No harm done, just let them go.
serendipitous1
These six will soon be facing a serious absence of omotenashi.
tinawatanabe
Cocaine and stimulant drugs are in different laws in Japan, that's why.
Ex_Res
They should be treated the same way that a Japanese national would be treated in Japan for such an offence. After all, they are probably constantly reminded - this is Japan.
Incidently, any fine should be the same as what a Japanese national should have to pay in Japan.
Ex_Res
Alex Einz
I understand that while in detention awaiting trail, or appeal a defendant can apply for bail. If refused, the defendant can keep appyling.
Again, they should be treated in the same way as Japanese nationals would be treated.
Alex Einz
Ex_Res oh they definitely will be treated the same regarding the sentence, but by any countries law , since you on a visa and not a resident you are automatically determined as non eligible for bail ( you can apply but it will be denied unless you have extremely special circumstances , in addition in drug cases where there is a collusion risk - group arrest , it will be denied regardless of what your citizenship is until you are charged and underwent first trial ) the first trial would be approximately few month ( half a year or so ) ...
There is no reason to cry about them being foreigners, drugs are very well known to be an extremely serious offence in Japan , and given them being guests in Japan does warrant a more serious sentence.
In addition, besides drug offense they have broke immigration law which makes them transferable to immigration detention after sentencing ( in case of suspended sentence ) or after the time spent in prison ( in case of actual sentence ) .. I would say its most likely that the casual users will be suspended , and shortly kicked out given they have the funds to return with 10 year japan ban but provider / importer will be sitting here about 10+ years.
Was it worth it?
Alex Einz
oh and btw, with scheduled class drug offence ( non pot ) in Japan, their record would likely be shared with EU and US immigration authorities, I would say getting visas will get lots more complicated if not impossible too.
Ex_Res
Alex Einz
Like you say, it was just not worth the stupidity of it all and they should not be pocessing or taking ilegal drugs anywhere.
Good to see that information is shared,
Actually, From what you say, Japan looks quite lenient in comparison to some countries.
I fail to understand what these young people see in these substances. When I has a student at their age we relaxed and had a good time with just a few bottles of beer.
shogun36
Good job people. Please enjoy your brilliant life choices.
Slickdrifter
Well what a waste. Its prison for all. Then deportation. Then lifetime ban. Do not do drugs! Especially here. Japanese police are very good at investigating drug cases. Any body know what kind of time they may get?
Ex_Res
Slickdrifter
It's hard to say what sentence they willget, the Judge has the decision.
From what I understand of sentencing in Japan leniency is often given to first time offenders.