Case Reiwa 6 (Wa) 1046: Stimulant Control Act Violation, Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act Violation

On January 29, 2025, South Korean national Lee Young-woon, 57, was arrested at Tokyo's Haneda Airport after customs officers discovered approximately 3 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in his luggage. He was indicted under case number Reiwa 6 (Wa) 1046 for violating the Stimulant Control Act and the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. The defendant admitted to the charges, stating he was promised payment for transporting the drugs. The trial took place at the Tokyo District Court, where the prosecution emphasized the large quantity and cross-border nature of the crime.

The Tokyo District Court convicted Lee Young-woon and sentenced him to 12 years in prison with a fine of 5 million yen, underscoring the gravity of importing a significant quantity of dangerous stimulants into Japan.

Whether the defendant acted with full knowledge and intent to smuggle narcotics, and the appropriate severity of sentencing given the substantial amount of stimulants and the international dimension of the offense.

The case exposed vulnerabilities in airport security and spurred enhanced cooperation between Japanese and South Korean authorities on drug interdiction. It also intensified public concern over transnational drug trafficking networks operating within East Asia.