A Portuguese man and women have been arrested for smuggling cocaine at Haneda Airport by swallowing packages approximately 4 centimeters long. In total, 228 cocaine packages were found inside their bodies, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police are investigating their involvement with an international smuggling organization.
The suspects arrested are João Rafael Oliveira Terenas Salgado (35 years old) and Vera Lúcia da Silva Rodrigues (40 years old), both Portuguese nationals. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, they are suspected of violating drug control laws for smuggling approximately 15 grams of cocaine, wrapped in a manner resembling capsules, by swallowing them. This smuggling operation took place on February 21st when they arrived at Haneda Airport from Germany.
Although the two individuals claimed to be visiting Japan for tourism purposes, customs officers became suspicious and conducted X-ray scans, revealing the presence of 228 cocaine packages, each approximately 4 centimeters long, inside their bodies. The seized cocaine is estimated to be worth around 1.8 kilograms and has an estimated street value of 43 million yen. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police suspect the involvement of an international smuggling organization and are conducting further investigations.
