Japan Stations Narcotics Agent In Hong Kong
NHK has learned that Japan has stationed a narcotics control agent in Hong Kong to strengthen information-gathering on drug smuggling attempts.
The health ministry last year assigned an official from the narcotics control department as a consul at a consulate-general there.
Hong Kong is said to serve as a global hub for drug trafficking. More than 10 countries, including the United States and Australia, station drug investigators there.
Ministry officials say they hope to step up cooperation with these officials, as well as Hong Kong authorities, in getting the latest information on attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into Japan.
Almost all stimulants and other illegal drugs circulating in Japan are believed to have been brought in from abroad.
Japanese law enforcement authorities have uncovered major smuggling cases in recent years. In 2019, they arrested or took other action against nearly 600 people, the largest number to date, on suspicion of involvement in attempted smuggling.
But street values of stimulants have remained almost the same, suggesting that massive amounts have eluded crackdowns.
Ministry officials plan to ramp up efforts to collect information abroad to crack down on smugglers.
