The front page of all the Okinawa papers last Saturday led with the story of two JET English teachers who were arrested for trying to import an illegal drug called Mind Candy. Here are some links my friend Vaughn dug up:
The first article that was run the night they were arrested: (Japanese)
http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/news/2009-06-19-S_009.html?PSID=822364d2e9392ddf3e9851f8e4b65311
The article that was on the front page this morning: (Japanese)
http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/news/2009-06-20-M_1-001-1_002.html?PSID=1a893f13cf30730cfebedd4adfc7082a
ALT Dave Webb's own blog post. (English)
http://soldave.ismysite.co.uk/biginjapan/2-foreign-teachers-arrested-in-okinawa-for-importing-illegal-substances
And finally, Vaughn's translation of one of the articles:
2 American English teachers arrested for violation of the Narcotics Control Low
The prefectural organized crime division arrested two ALTs on charges of violating narcotic and psychotropic drug control laws (import). The two arrested denied the charges, stating "we didn't know it was an illegal substance."
The departments investigation reveals Lawrence ordered 44 pills of the narcotic (so called "mind candy") on April 10 and had it shipped to Japan via airmail. *(another story indicates the order came from the UK)
According to the department, the Tokyo Narita Airport Customs branch office discovered the drugs , and using Lawrence's address, alerted prefectural officials. Prefectural police carried out the arrest.
I had met one of the girls at a marathon and I did not know the other girl. The girl I met was real nice, but what she did was just plain dumb...if you are going to do something illegal in a foreign country, don't get caught.
A tip for not getting caught: Don't order 44 pills over the internet and have it shipped to your front door. To give some perspective of how much that is, according to one of the UK supply websites, a packet comes with 2 pills and costs £6, or almost $10.
But what I can't seem to find any information on is what Mind Candy is. It's 'marketed' as a plant fertilizer and I'm guessing it's some mild psychedelic.
What will happen to them? According to the US Department of State website on Japan (also found by Vaughn):
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1148.html
CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
Persons violating Japanese law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Persons arrested in Japan, even for a minor offense, may be held in detention without bail for two to three months during the investigation and legal proceedings.
Illegal Drugs: Penalties for possession or use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs, including marijuana, in Japan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and fines. In most drug cases, suspects are detained incommunicado, which bars them from receiving visitors or corresponding with anyone other than a lawyer or U.S. consular officer until after indictment, which may take several months. Solitary confinement is common.
So yea. When they eventually do get out of jail. It's pretty likely they will have no jobs and will be deported.
Finally, I have heard some teachers express worries of some kind of racist backlash against them from all members of Japanese society. I think this stems from their own stereotypical views, not to mention if there was a person to hold some kind of grudge against all English teachers, that would represent that person only, not all of Japan.
And for the record, not a single teacher, nor my supervisor or superintendent, has even brought this to my attention.
7 comments:
Hi Cliff,
I think two JET girls who caught in Okinawa should be deported!!
You said 'Party Pills' are illegal in US, NZ, and Australia.
If someone has a commonsense, she should know what is bad. They are not kids!! They graduated 4 year college!!
One of the girl said that she didn't know "Party Pills" are illegal. What a damn stupid girl!!
I doubt her commonsense who tried to import 44 illegal pills
Also, I do not agree you that " if you are going to something illegal in a foreign country, don't get caught."
Do you think even though someone commit illegal act, it's ok as long as he/she is not caught???
i gotta say that i'm a bit shocked at the stupidity, though of course not knowing all the story, i don't want to judge too harshly. though it doesn't seem to me that they can claim complete innocence. too bad it'll reflect poorly on the other ALTs, though i have a feeling that if a BOE has a rocking ALT (like yourself and Aaron) and have had good experiences with the JET program they won't jump to stereotypical and racist conclusions. at least i hope so.
People need to get over it. Most of the time drugs aren't the problem, it's the laws created around them. Drug problems will be there no matter what, it should not be a legal issue but a public health issue. If you want to say all drug users deserve punishment then YOU are completely ignorant about drugs and I doubt you have any experience with them in any way.
Mind Candy isnt a narcotic. Its a purely natural, herbal mood enhancer slightly more powerful than caffeine and less powerful than marijuana. Ist not even considered a drug in the US and the US has some of the most Draconian anti-drug laws in the world. You people who run your mouths about stuff you know nothing about need to shut up. Its people like you who allow governments to destroy people's loves over herbal remedies which should be sold at health food stores. idiots.
I meant "destroy people's lives" not "destroy people's loves"...lol
Thanks for reading. I'm not sure if you are directing your comment to me or to the others who have left comments, but I will assume me.
The issue here is not whether Mind Candy is or is not a narcotic. And it certainly makes no difference if it is legal in the US, or any other country. It is illegal in Japan, and regardless of anyone's personal opinion of that fact, JET is a government-sponsored program. As a government paid employee, if one chooses to order boxes of illegal pills to sell them later, that is their choice. But they also must accept the consequences.
That's all I'm saying.
The Japanese Prefectural Advisor on whose watch the aforesaid incident occurred is now my Kyoto sensei (Vice Principal). He has some great stories from the attempts to visit jail and sooth over any rumpled feathers. We have had a few laughs, and he definitely doesn't have any negative views on ALTs because of it.
Glad to hear more of the 'real' story. As an ALT coming who arrived in 2010, we just got MAJOR warnings about drugs.
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