Busted for Drugs In Japan. (Part 3)

[Pachipro]

There was a foreigner who frequented that bar who usually had cocaine to sell which no one that I knew of used. He was a pretty good looking male model with a beautiful Japanese wife who came there once or twice a month. Nobody really hung out with him. The owner of the bar had asked him not to mention cocaine or try to sell it at his place. I then decided that I would give them his name. This would maybe save my wife, my friends, my business, and hopefully give them a new lead.

Two days later I was called again. I held firm that I didn’t know if my friends were using or not and they continued their threats about my wife and business. When I thought the time was right, I asked them if they would be interested in a person who used cocaine. This seemed to peak their interest and, yes, they were interested. Very interested. In fact, their interest in this became their main focus. I couldn't believe how fast the focus had changed from 'Who else is using marijuana and hash' to 'who has cocaine'. They were so excited that I realized I had the upper hand as their line of questioning and excitement became so obvious. They really wanted this person’s name.

Believe it or not, I then proceeded to make a deal with them. If they would not indict my wife, inform my students’ policeman father, would put in a good word for me to the prosecutor and judge, and that I would be allowed to stay in Japan and continue my business, I would give them the name they so desperately wanted. They agreed under the condition that if they went and busted this guy they could find cocaine. Whether he had it at his house or not I didn't know and told them so. They also said they could grant all my conditions except one. They could not guarantee me that I would be able to stay in Japan. That would be up to the court. I figured that it didn’t matter as I was leaving the following year anyway. I’d just have to push up my plans a bit and hoped that I wouldn’t be leaving alone. I gave them his name and the questioning for the day ended.

Throughout the day and night I silently prayed in my cell that they would find cocaine at his place. I really felt bad about giving up someone's name, but I was faced with the prospect of losing everything. I justified it in my head that this was self-preservation. These Japanese police are really crafty and sly and they definitely have their “ways” of getting people to turn others in. A few threats here and there seem to do the job quite well. I figured that it was similar tactics that maybe caused someone else to turn me in.

A few boring days passed and I kept hoping that I would be called for questioning just to have something different to do and to get out of my cell. Listening to the sounds of freedom going on out the window, it really began to sink in what freedom actually means. It's amazing how one's freedom is taken for granted until it's taken away. Unless you actually experience it, it’s too difficult to put into words just exactly what it feels like to think that you may not be free again for a long time. With nothing to all day but sit in my cell and facing the prospect of going to prison, I had a long time to think about what freedom really is. To be free to make a phone call, to go to a bar, a coffee shop, or out to eat. To be able to watch TV or listen to the radio or make tea; to be able to go shopping or a simple walk; to be able to go to the bathroom in private, or any of the simple things that one so takes for granted. That is perhaps the biggest lesson I learned. I promised myself that if I got out of this that I would NEVER let my freedom be taken away again. It’s a pretty sad commentary to say that the biggest part of my day was looking forward to getting out of my cell to walk around and have a cigarette.

Also, during this time I had a visit from people at the American Embassy. They said that my family had tried to get in touch with me for several days and were worried that I might be dead or something. They said they couldn't help me at all as this was a Japanese matter, but they would inform my family as to what happened to me. Great! How embarrassing! Now my whole family knows! I figured they would never know unless I went to jail or something.

Anyway, several nights later, about 2am, we heard another person being brought in. I peered through the bars and it was the person whose name I had given. I didn't know whether to be relieved or scared. Relieved, that maybe the police would keep their word and I would be out of here. Or scared, that if he found out who turned him in I may end up dead somewhere.

I languished around while he was questioned for two days. We had a little chance to speak during our breaks and he hadn’t a clue that it was I who turned him in. We both agreed that it must’ve been the same person who turned us both in. His wife ended up in the same jail as my wife.

I was finally called for questioning again and was informed that they did find a significant amount of cocaine at his place. More than they expected. Also, the guy was cooperating with the police as his dealer was the main source in bringing it into the country. He was singing like a bird and this turned out to be a significant story and bust for the police.

The police thanked me and said they would keep their word. They said that they were sure my friends were using, but would not push for their names because of the cocaine bust. They would send me to the prosecutor’s office the next day. I was then allowed to call my wife and I asked her to get an attorney for the bail.

Before being taken to the prosecutor, I had to read and sign a document that was like 80 pages long. It was the complete interrogation. I also had to sign another document that was sort of like a confession. In it, it said that the hashish was mine and that it was found by legal means. I was in jail for a total of 15 days which felt like a month to me.

The following day I was taken to the prosecutor’s office in Yokohama where I was questioned by her for about two hours and formally indicted. I foolishly answered some questions in a way I shouldn’t have by telling her that I didn’t think marijuana or hash was addicting and that, in my opinion it was better and safer than alcohol. Trying to be honest, I also foolishly said that I had been using it on occasion for many years. One must remember that anything and everything you say will be used against you in a court of law. And it was! I was let out on bail 2 days later and my wife was there with an attorney. Bail was set at 3million yen at 10% and my attorney was costing me a flat fee of 300,000 yen.

I returned to my school and apologized to all my students for not being around for a couple of weeks. After my wife was let out she immediately returned to the school to continue lessons. She lied and told them that my father was very ill in the states and I had to return immediately. They understood and everything seemed cool when I returned. However, the big test was yet to come. Would that female HS student whose father was a policeman in the building where I was being held return to class? If she up and quit I would know that he knew. If she quit I knew it would only be a short time before the word got around and they all quit. Well, she did come to class and continued to do so. What a relief that was!

My name never did get into the papers, my students’ policeman father was never informed, and they did put in a good word to the prosecutor who said she would mention it to the judge at the trial. We scoured the previous two weeks papers for any mention of our bust. Nothing. We continued to look everyday and nothing was mentioned. They really did keep their word.

My school continued to flourish with no one suddenly quitting. The trial came up about 6 months later in Yokohama and it was just a one day thing with both sides presenting their case. No jury, just three judges.

The prosecutor did her part too. Get this. She said that drugs are terrible and very addicting. She also said that hashish was the most addictive. More so than marijuana. She went on to tell the judges that, in her opinion, I may addicted to it and may or may not be able to get over it as I was using it for many years. However, she thinks I have good character, cooperated with the police, and that she felt I may be able to get over it with the help of my wife. She argued for finding me guilty and jail time! (Here you can see what the official view of what marijuana and hash is in Japan).

My lawyer just pleaded for leniency and that his client was extremely sorry for what he had done.

I did my part and sincerely apologized before the judges for what I had done. I told them how much I loved Japan and wanted to stay and continue my business and that I would stop using immediately because it was a foolish thing to do and that I feel I had learned a good lesson from all this. They then recessed to discuss the case and reach a verdict. My lawyer said that, based on his experience, it would probably be a suspended sentence.

The verdict was reached about an hour later. “Guilty and 7 Years Hard Labor!” my lawyer translated. I about fell over as my heart just about stopped I was so shocked. Then my lawyer translated that it was suspended for three years and, due to my cooperation with the police and having no prior criminal record, I would be allowed to stay in Japan provided I wrote a letter to the courts promising them I would keep my nose clean and would not get into any more trouble. This I readily agreed to. There was no probation officer and I never had to report anywhere. I was just let go. By the way, immigration officials were not informed of this as nothing was brought up when I renewed my visa a few months later and I was not blacklisted from the country after I left and returned.

There you have it. You may or may not believe it, but every word is true as best as I can remember it. A good ending, but not a very pleasant experience at all. Of course I stayed clean and never used it again in Japan. Nor have I used it since. My freedom is just too important to me.

Epilogue

I must say something here about the Japanese police. They were not what I had expected or heard. They were always formal and polite and I was never mistreated, harassed or abused in any way, nor were they ever belligerent. I guess if you do what you're told, answer their questions in an honest matter, don't argue with them and are polite with them, they will treat you back in kind. You do not have the right to remain silent in Japan. You are expected to be truthful. If anyone here has the unfortunate experience I had, just cooperate as best you can. You'll be glad you did. Most of all DON"T get caught with drugs! Also, if you ever have to go before a judge even if you get caught without your "Gaijin Card” on you, like happened to me some years earlier, you must sincerely apologize both verbally and in writing. They take a sincere apology most seriously in Japan.

Whatever happened to the guy whose name I gave? We never saw him again. However, I did hear that he was allowed to stay in Japan. Maybe it was his cooperation or the fact that he had a Japanese wife also.

In my opinion, it seems that those that are married to Japanese are allowed to stay in Japan. Maybe I would've been able to stay regardless of turning over a name. I don't know. I knew three people with Japanese wives who got busted for marijuana usage and all were allowed to stay.

What about my two friends? Well I told them everything and that the police had their eye on them. One guy threw everything away and the other just hid his stash away from the house. Neither one ever got busted.

I believe in the saying that "When God Closes One Door He Opens Another." Why is that you may ask? Well, I mentioned that my father-in-law hated my guts. Her parents didn't know that we were married at the time. My wife and I secretly got married in 1985 when we opened our school and she never told them. She would just say that she was helping me out with my school and would return on weekends and holidays. How the hell they never found out since she had to get a copy of her family history and my name was entered on it I'll never know. My wife says that unless a family member specifically asks for a copy of the family register no one would know.

Of course her family found out about my getting busted as they couldn't get in touch with their daughter either. I figured her father was really done with me now. Anyway, her father questioned her and asked her if she really loved me with all she’s been through. She said that she did. He then said that, “If you love this guy so much after all this than marry him and let’s have a wedding!” We had a full Japanese wedding about 6 months later and her father and I became the closest of friends up until his death in 1994. We would drink and sing together, watch ballgames and sumo together, etc. He really was a great guy. And here was a guy that hated my guts until I got arrested and caused his only child to spend a week in jail. Life sure is strange. Very strange.

After this experience I firmly believe that everything in life happens for a reason.

[ArmandV]

Great story! I am glad it all worked out for you. Sometimes it takes a bargaining chip to get you out of hot water.

[jhough37]

Excellent story Pach! I am glad to hear it all worked out in the end, even though it must have been terrible to go through. But like they say "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger."

[cicatriz esp]

She said that drugs are terrible and very addicting. She also said that hashish was the most addictive. More so than marijuana. She went on to tell the judges that, in her opinion, I may addicted to it and may or may not be able to get over it as I was using it for many years

And these kind of people were in charge. Fools.

What a stone age view of drugs.

[Gaijinian]

This is a very, very intresting stroy.
Your honesty is amazing.
Good luck in the future.

[kirei_na_me]

Thank you so much for sharing that story, Pachipro. I hope many people will read it and take something from it. Thank you for taking the time to share that with us.

Maybe you should write a book then have it made into a movie?

[GaijinPunch]

That **** should be a book! Anyways, this illustrates a point that I've told people for years. "An apology and a promise goes a very long way in Japan". I've been taken down to the station for the "talk of shame" for a much lesser crime (driving w/o a license) but of course, they made me promise I'd never do it again or they'd deport me. :|

Glad to see it all worked out for ya!

[Bucko]

Fantastic. I've been looking forward to reading this ending for 2 days.

[Park]

That was a beautiful story. I am not sh***ing you, it left me in tears.

OK, not too many, just a few.

[Faustianideals]

Great story! I really enjoyed reading it.

[Dizzy]

I have to say, thats a damn good story, always nice to have an ace eh?

love the part about the father, golden mate, absolutely golden.

[mad pierrot]

Great story, if only it was fiction.......




Glad everything worked out OK in the end. Let this being a warning to us all!

[misa.j]

Thanks for sharing and educating all of us with your great story, Pachipro!

What a experience you and your wife had gone through in Japan! I'm glad to hear that everything turned out to be ok at the end.
Your father-in-law sounded like a great person, too.

[lv426]

Flipping hell their so harsh, out of intrest whats Americas stance on ganja!

[Dutch Baka]

Great Story , And you you should Publish a book about your Story's of Japan, i will be one of the first who will buy it!!!!!

Btw,, when you called your wife from jail.. how did she responsed,, how was your wife under all this? you didnt mention much about it.. while in the beginning you were verry afraid about losing her, etc... or didnt i read good?

[cicatriz esp]

Originally Posted by lv426

Flipping hell their so harsh, out of intrest whats Americas stance on ganja!

If you are stopped with marijuana on your person (without intent to sell) in California, it will be confiscated, the cops will write you a ticket which you can pay by mail, and you will be sent on your merry way. That's for a first offense, mind you.

[Pachipro]

Thanks to all for your warm replies and reviews. Makes me want to continue writing. My next story will be in about four parts and will entail how I was introduced, quite suddenly and completely, into the Japanese culture after having been in the country for only a month. This is a story that I'm sure many will find hard to believe, but all my stories are true experiences. As they say, "Life is stranger than fiction."

Originally Posted by dutch baka

Btw,, when you called your wife from jail.. how did she responsed,, how was your wife under all this? you didnt mention much about it.. while in the beginning you were verry afraid about losing her, etc... or didnt i read good?

Believe me she was not a very hapy person and was downright angry as hell for having to spend 5 days in jail because of me. I was worried about her leaving me because of it. However, her response was warm and she was just glad to get me out of jail. I apologized profusely to her and promised I would never do it again. I have kept that promise.

Originally Posted by cicatriz esp

If you are stopped with marijuana on your person (without intent to sell) in California, it will be confiscated, the cops will write you a ticket which you can pay by mail, and you will be sent on your merry way. That's for a first offense, mind you.

Here in Tennessee it is a crime to be found with any amount on you. You will be arrested and taken to jail, have to post bail, and appear in court. You will probably get off with a misdemeanor if it is a small amount or you may receive probation. It all depends on the amount. Very strict.

[cicatriz esp]

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4516

Tennessee looks to be one of the harshest states. Anywhere in the Bible belt will probably be like that.

[Shibuyaexpat]

A four-parter? I can't wait! This 3 parter was an amazing read. Keep 'em coming, Pachipro.

[worldpimp]

I know I am coming to this thread about 2.5 years late, but I just wanted to let the author know, that his experiences in Japanese lock-up are similar in so many ways, to my own 16 days behind bars in a police station in Tokyo earlier this year (May 2007). Pachipro, you might be interested to know that in some small ways, the conditions are perhaps a little better now, than they were when you were arrested. For example, you can now have a bath once every 5 days, instead of once a week. Instead of tatami, the cell floors are now covered with carpet (actually, I would rather stay in a tatami cell, but I guess it is a security threat -- it is easier to hide things under a tatami mat, than it is to hide things under thin carpet.) But in general conditions in lock-up and the whole procedure you go through after arrest in Japan, are basically the same. Unnervingly so.

I was arrested in May this year after me and my friends tried running out of a karaoke parlor without paying the bill -- you can see the complete story here:

I was detained in the police station for 16 days, spasmodically interviewed by the police, and basically had the fear of God put in me. Looking back on it now, I can see how farcical it was. But at the time the impression you get is: Welcome to the real world! That's what reality is. People like Pachipro and me, we know what it is like. We know the true meaning of the expression: "Keeping it real" -- because we have both done time, and tasted reality.

[Pachipro]

Thank you for your reply worldpimp. It doen't matter how late you are as it is still as relevant today. However, the link to your story was not listed. I would interested in reading it.

My experience occured 19 years ago and it is amazing that things have not changed much since then. I see they are as harsh today as they were back then and rightly so. When you live in Japan and get arrested you suffer the consequences of Japanese law.

I would be interested in knowing why you were not deported and if you were allowed to stay in the country and why, as it is indicated under your name, that you are still residing in Japan. Do you have a Japanese wife? Was your crime not that severe? What was the final verdict and what was your sentence?

Let our experiences be a lesson to all those thinking of doing what we did or of breaking some other Japanese law. They are strict and do not play games. That you can be sure of. It is an experience I would not wish on anyone and is one you will NEVER forget.