2014 EditionTRENDS INILLICIT DRUGS AND FIREARMS
SMUGGLING IN JAPAN("White Powder and Black Firearms" Report)

Post Clearance Audit, Investigation AndIntelligence DivisionCustoms And Tariff Bureau
Ministry Of FinanceJapanPREFACE
Recent development toward global economy and borderless societies has brought about
an increase of international distribution and international travelers. Consequently, therequest to expedite customs clearance has risen, and efforts have been made toharmonize the trade and Customs clearance procedures at the international level. At thesame time, in Japan, the soaring abuse of illicit drugs such as narcotics and stimulants
among young people and the occurrence of serious crimes in which guns are used hascaused grave social problems.
Considering this serious situation, the Japanese government established theHeadquarters for the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse for the control ofstimulants and the Firearms Control Headquarters for the control of handguns and otherfirearms, strengthening its measures against illicit drugs and firearms. In December
2008, all matters decided by each Headquarters were transferred to the Meeting for thePromotion of Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse and the Meeting for the Promotion ofMeasures against Firearms.
In September 2003, the Government set up a Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measuresagainst Crime to address the situation where heinous crimes are committed among thelives of the general public, in some cases by juveniles. This Meeting was created torestore Japan to the status of "the safest country in the world" and to promotecomprehensive and active measures in an effective way while the relevant promotional
headquarters and law enforcement agencies work in close cooperation with each other.
Moreover, in December 2008, the Government formulated a "New Action Plan 2008 forMeasures against Crime." Related government agencies are now making collective
efforts to carry out a variety of measures.
Japan Customs gives the first priority to the interception of goods harmful to the society
such as illicit drugs and firearms at the border. Japan Customs is therefore activelyengaged in the efforts to promote a range of measures, including strengthening
collaboration with related organizations, raising the level of collection and analysis of
information and improving the equipment for detection, with the aim of reinforcing law
enforcement activities at the border.
This booklet features smuggling trends in Japan and law enforcement measures being
taken by Japan Customs, considering the importance of law enforcement activities at theborder against smuggling of goods harmful to society. Through this booklet, we would
like to provide some insight for law enforcement officials, contribute to a better
understanding of the general public about the Customs enforcement activities, and ask
for their greater cooperation with Customs.
Lastly, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the ministries and agencies
concerned for their contributions in compiling this booklet.
Post Clearance Audit,
Investigation andIntelligence Division,
Customs and TariffBureau,
Ministry of FinanceCONTENTS

Ⅰ．INTERDICTIONS OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND FIREARMS SMUGGLING IN 2014
1. Number of Interdictions(1)

Summary.................................................................................................................... 1(2)

Interdiction of Major Illicit Drugs and Firearms ....................................................... 2

2. Trends in Illicit Drug Smuggling(1)

Stimulants .................................................................................................................. 3(2)

Cannabis (herbal cannabis and cannabis resin) ......................................................... 6(3)Other Illicit Drugs (Narcotics, Psychotropics) .......................................................... 6

Ⅱ．SIGNIFICANT INTERDICTIONS IN 2014
1. Stimulants ........................................................................................................................... 7
2. Cannabis ............................................................................................................................. 8
3. Narcotics ............................................................................................................................ 9
Ⅲ．LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE BORDER AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS AND
OTHER ILLEGAL ITEMS
1. Government Initiatives( 1 ) Meeting for the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse ............................... 10( 2 ) Meeting for the Promotion of Measures against Firearms ......................................... 15( 3 ) Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures against Crime ......................................... 21
2. Law Enforcement by Japan Customs ............................................................................... 26( 1 ) Consolidation of Organization for Enforcement ........................................................ 27( 2 ) Reinforcement of the Collection and Analysis of Information on Smuggling ........... 27( 3 ) Effective Use of Enforcement Equipment .................................................................. 29( 4 ) Closer Cooperation with Relevant Agencies .............................................................. 30( 5 ) Promotion of International Information Exchange ..................................................... 30( 6 ) Technical Cooperation in the Field of Customs Enforcement .................................... 32

REFERENCE DATA
1. Major Interdiction Cases of Illicit Drugs and Firearms（Top Three Cases） ................ 33
2. Latest Interdiction Cases of Illicit Drugs and Other Smuggling( 1 ) Illicit Drugs① Number of interdicted cases of smuggling of major illicit drugsby mode of transport .......................................................................................... 34② Stimulants .......................................................................................................... 34③ Cannabis ............................................................................................................ 36