A 42-year-old Japanese police inspector in Hyogo Prefecture was arrested for allegedly selling and transferring marijuana on the streets to a colleague in their 20s. He had previously been prosecuted for possession of the drug. Authorities are still investigating the source of the marijuana and whether other police officers are involved.
According to NHK, Inspector Hiroki Iwaki and a 24-year-old officer were arrested and prosecuted earlier this October for possession of marijuana. On October 23, police detained Iwaki again on suspicion of violating Japan’s Narcotics Control Act.
Police say that in June, Iwaki sold about 10 grams of marijuana on the streets of Kobe for ¥40,000 (approx. RM1,060) to the younger officer. In September, he transferred four bottles of liquid marijuana in Harima Town, Hyogo Prefecture, for ¥38,000 (approx. RM1,010).
Investigators revealed that Iwaki apparently used a highly encrypted messaging app to coordinate the sales and personally decided the quantities and prices before delivering the drugs to other officers.
Iwaki has admitted to the offenses. Police are continuing to trace the source and distribution of the marijuana and are investigating whether additional police personnel are involved.
