Customs official loses marijuana with traveler

from JoeUser Forums

Customs official loses marijuana with traveler
Package of cannabis stowed in passenger's suitcase during training exercise

This news item both cracks me up and freaks me out.  Cracks me up from the incompetence that is shown, but freaks me out because in many countries around the world the war on drugs is quite serious and the penalties for drug smuggling can be incredibly harsh.[more]

Check out the story (from the article linked in the headline above, originally from Reuters):

TOKYO - One of the travelers who arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport over the weekend may have picked up an unusual souvenir from customs — a package of cannabis.

A customs official hid the package in a suitcase belonging to a passenger arriving from Hong Kong as a training exercise for sniffer dogs Sunday, but lost track of both drugs and suitcase during the practice session, a spokeswoman for Tokyo customs said.

Customs regulations specify that a training suitcase be used for such exercises, but the official said he had used passengers' suitcases for similar purposes in the past, domestic media reported.

End of quote

Can you say 'Brokedown Palace?' :SURPRISED: :SURPRISED: :SURPRISED:

Seriously, if the poor schlub that had the drugs planted in their luggage gets to another location, like say Hong Kong, and the dogs there find the drugs in the bag; that individual is going to have lots of 'splainin' to do and chances are not high that the customs officials on the destination side of the equation will believe the old 'It's not my dope, man!' argument.

That customs official should get to spend about 20 years in prison for drug trafficking, or at least as long as the poor citizen with the free drugs could be facing (if they are pulled aside and the drugs are found....) :SURPRISED:

In case you wonder why I say 'if... the drugs are found...', look here:

Anyone who finds the package should contact Tokyo customs as soon as possible, the spokeswoman said.
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1,231 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yeah, I read this article on Yahoo! news and had a serious WTF! moment. Did this idiot not somehow realize that simple miscommunication could have ruined this innocent traveler's life? Is this routine in other countries or only Japan?

If I were the traveler in question, I would be seriously ticked!
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

What ever happened to asking for volunteers?

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
What ever happened to asking for volunteers?
End of quote


I am sure the "volunteer" this time did not mind. ;)