JPY 15 MILLION CANNABIS ARREST MADE

NARITA (Kyodo) A 23-year-old American man has been arrested on suspicion of
trying to smuggle about 1.9 kg of cannabis resin through Narita airport,
police and customs officials said Wednesday.

Maxwell Oglesby is suspected of carrying and trying to smuggle the drug,
which has an estimated street value of Y15 million, in violation of the
Cannabis Control Law, the authorities said.

According to investigations, Oglesby was allegedly carrying the drug in his
suitcase when he arrived at Narita airport on May 26 from Bangkok via Hong
Kong.

Customs officers discovered the drug through an X-ray inspection after
noticing the shape of the suitcase was strange. Six pieces of cannabis
resin were found wrapped in plastic hidden in the bottom of his suitcase,
they said.

Oglesby reportedly told investigators he needed the money because he had
used up all his cash in Thailand, where he had been staying since September
1999.

He was supposed to be paid the equivalent of $4,000 to transport the drug,
they said.