2023 Edition("White Powder and Black Firearms" Report)

Post Clearance Audit, Investigation andIntelligence Division
Customs and Tariff Bureau
Ministry of FinancePREFACE
Amid the expansion of international distribution and personnel exchanges accompanying the further
globalization of society, we are now facing greater risks of smuggling of goods harmful to society,such as methamphetamine and other illicit drugs that threaten the safety and peace of people's lives,
guns and other terrorism-related materials, and goods infringing intellectual property rights.

Under such circumstances, Japan Customs and the Customs and Tariff Bureau of the Ministry ofFinance position the prevention of goods harmful to society from entering Japan at the border as oneof the most important issues and are proactively promoting various measures, including theenhancement of collection and analysis of information, strengthening of cooperation with the relevantauthorities, further deployment of border control equipment, and utilization of cutting-edge
technologies, in order to deal with the diversification of smuggling tactics. Japan Customs and theCustoms and Tariff Bureau have compiled "Action Plan 2022 for the Realization of SMART Customs"
and have been taking actions with the aim of improving the sophistication and efficiency of customs
services and achieving "the world's leading Customs."

This booklet features smuggling trends in Japan and countermeasures being implemented by Japan
Customs, considering the importance of Customs controls at the border against the 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 by the public about Customs enforcement activities, andask for their greater cooperation with Customs.
Post Clearance Audit, Investigation and Intelligence Division,
Customs and Tariff Bureau,
Ministry of FinanceCONTENTS
Ⅰ.

TRENDS IN ILLICIT DRUGS SMUGGLING
1. Seizures of Smuggled Illicit Drugs ____________________________________________________________ 1
2. Influences of Illicit Drug Abuse _______________________________________________________________ 7

II. TRENDS IN FIREARMS SMUGGLING ______________________________________________ 9
III. CUSTOMS CONTROLS AGAINST GOODS INFRINGING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYRIGHTS
1. Import Suspensions Regarding Goods Infringing Intellectual Property Rights_______________________ 10
2. Accusation Case Related to Goods Infringing Intellectual Property Rights __________________________ 13

IV. CUSTOMS CONTROLS AGAINST SMUGGLING OF OTHER ITEMS
1. Seizures of Smuggled Gold Bullion ___________________________________________________________ 14
2. Smuggling Cases Involving CITES-listed Species _______________________________________________ 15
3. Illicit Export Cases ________________________________________________________________________ 15
4. Counterfeit postal stamps __________________________________________________________________ 16V.

INITIATIVES OF JAPAN CUSTOMS FOR PREVENTING SMUGGLING

1. Effective Use of Control/Inspection Equipment and Advanced Technologies_________________________ 17
2. Customs Controls by Utilizing Information ____________________________________________________ 21
3. Closer Cooperation with Relevant Agencies ___________________________________________________ 23
4. Promotion of International Information Exchange______________________________________________ 24VI. GOVERMENT INITIATIVES
1. Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures against Crime ________________________________________ 26
2. Meeting for the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse ___________________________________ 27
3. Meeting for the Promotion of Measures against Firearms ________________________________________ 28

REFERENCE DATA
1. Types of Illicit Drugs ______________________________________________________________________ 29
2. Production Methods and Pharmacological Effects, etc. of Major Illicit Drugs ________________________ 30
3. Types of Firearms _________________________________________________________________________ 31
4. Types of Pistols by Form ___________________________________________________________________ 325. Mechanism of Gold Bullion Smuggling _______________________________________________________ 33
6. Trends in Smuggling around the World _______________________________________________________ 34
7. Seizures of Goods Harmful to Society ________________________________________________________ 36
8. Number of Seizures of Major Illicit Drugs by Mode of Transport __________________________________ 37
9-1. Number of Seizures of Methamphetamine by Mode of Transport _________________________________ 37
9-2. Number of Seizures of Methamphetamine by Source ___________________________________________ 38
10-1. Number of Seizures of Cannabis by Mode of Transport ________________________________________ 39
10-2. Number of Seizures of Herbal Cannabis by Source____________________________________________ 39
10-3. Number of Seizures of Cannabis Resin, etc. by Source _________________________________________ 40(Reference) Number of Dispositions for Violations of the Customs Act* by Mode of Offense ______________ 40
11. Outline of Intellectual Property Rights _______________________________________________________ 41