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A package in the mail

Hello, I would like to submit a story about what happened to me in Japan, maybe it could help somebody.

A package came to our house one day which was addressed to somebody we didnt know. Despite turning the package away we were raided by police and customs. It turns out the package had 400grams of hashish inside of it.

Although we didnt know anything about the contents three of us were arrested for possession.

I had 1.3 grams and my friend had 0.3 grams in our rooms. My boyfriend was also arrested for simply being at my house at the wrong time.

Two others that lived in our flat were not arrested as they were not in possesion, even though their urine tests came out positive. The police in Japan need two eye witness statments from people saying they have seen somebody smoke to make an arrest if there is no physical evidence.

We were interrogated, tied to chairs, abused, strip searched, put under a non-communication order for twenty days. Our friends didnt come to see us and our mail was searched and some confiscated. They threatened us with jail for upto 5 years and told us they suspected us of smuggling. My urine test came up negative for anything but in order to be not sent to prison for smuggling I had to take responsibilty for the 1.3 grams found in my room. For those of you who are not aware of it, 1.3 is about the size of one joint.

After 2 months at Narita airport I was sent to Chiba detention centre which is the most horrible place on earth. The only sound you can hear at night is the sound of people crying. You are not allowed to smile, wave or look at another living soul. According to human rights treaties every prisoner in the world is allowed one hour a day of exercise. In Japan you are allowed one hour a week, providing it is not raining. You may only send one letter a day. Wake up is at 6.45 am and until 6.00pm you may only sit quietly. If you do make noise or try to make contact with another inmate (which is impposible anyway) you are threatened and bullied by guards. I am vegetarian but they told me because I am white and I dont have a religion I must eat meat. By refusing to eat meat I am trying to disobey orders and am likely to be punished. I lost 10kg in 3 months.

The prosecution demanded 6 months imprisonment with hard labour as I had admitted to my investigating detective that I had smoked Marijuana in my own country before. My friend only had one trial and was sent back to New Zealand. They wouldn't let me know what had happened to her and hid her letters to me until after my first trial.

After my second trial they finally released me in Japan on a 3 year suspended sentance. When they pushed me out of the Chiba detention centre gates I could barely walk. They didnt tell me my rights or even explain what a suspended sentence was. My friend who was caught with 0.3 grams was deported with a 20 year ban.

Apparently, everybody that the prosecution demands under three years imprisonment for is entitled a suspended sentence by Japanese law.

female, New Zealand

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