Pubdate: 23 January 2003
Source: Japan Times, The (Japan)
Contact: opinion@japantimes.co.jp
Copyright: © Japan Times
Website: http://www.japantimes.co.jp
2002 a drugs bonanza at Narita
NARITA, Chiba Pref. (Kyodo)
Customs officials at Narita airport said Wednesday they intercepted record hauls of marijuana and amphetamines in 2002.
Confiscated amphetamine pills, not including Ecstasy, skyrocketed to 15,000 in 2002 from just 61 a year earlier, officials at the nation's largest international gateway said.
About 378 kg of marijuana were detected, up from 105 kg the previous year, and 152,600 Ecstasy pills were confiscated, up from 86,094, they said.
"Stimulant drug pills are easy to use and are spreading in Japan, especially among young people," an official said.
The increased staff during the World Cup succer finals help in Japan and South Korea last summer was seen as contributing to the increased number of busts.
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