Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official statement following reports from Japan of a record-breaking cannabis seizure linked to three Vietnamese nationals. The haul, valued at approximately US$35 million, represents the largest drug bust of its kind in Japan’s history.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng addressed the case during a press briefing on Thursday, confirming that Vietnam had received information about the arrests and had acted swiftly in line with consular responsibilities.
“Immediately after receiving information on the incident, and in line with the instructions of the foreign ministry, Vietnam’s representative agencies in Japan promptly contacted the relevant Japanese authorities to obtain and verify information, and implemented appropriate citizen protection measures in accordance with Vietnamese regulations as well as the host country’s laws,” Hằng stated.
The spokesperson emphasized Vietnam’s firm stance on narcotics, reiterating that the country strictly punishes offenses related to drug production, trafficking, possession, or transport. She added that Vietnam remains committed to cooperation with international partners to combat drug crimes both bilaterally and multilaterally.
The case has drawn significant attention in Japan. According to Japanese media outlets including NHK and Nikkei, authorities seized roughly one tonne of dried cannabis packed into 200 cartons. The shipment reportedly departed from Đà Nẵng Port in central Vietnam before arriving at Tokyo Port in June.
Investigators revealed that the cannabis quantity in this case was more than double the total 452 kilograms confiscated nationwide across Japan in 2024 by police and drug control agencies. The seizure has since been classified as the largest single cannabis bust ever recorded in Japan.
Japan’s Ministry of Health’s Narcotics Control Department announced the arrest of three Vietnamese nationals suspected of conspiring to smuggle the drugs for profit. Among the detained suspects is a 51-year-old man living in Ibaraki Prefecture. Officials are continuing to examine whether the suspects acted independently or were connected to a wider international smuggling network.
Authorities believe the cannabis was transported from Tokyo Port to the northern Kanto region, where it was seized. The investigation remains ongoing, with Japanese authorities considering the possibility of further arrests linked to organized criminal groups.
The case underscores the growing challenge of international drug smuggling and the increasing vigilance of Japanese law enforcement in curbing narcotics imports. For Vietnam, the incident is a sensitive diplomatic matter, highlighting the importance of protecting citizens abroad while maintaining its firm anti-drug policy.
As legal proceedings advance in Japan, Vietnamese officials have pledged to cooperate with their counterparts while ensuring that the rights of the detained citizens are protected under international law.
The outcome of the case is expected to have broader implications for both countries’ cooperation in anti-narcotics efforts, particularly as cross-border trafficking networks become more sophisticated.
