American resident arrested on cannabis law violation charges
The Okinawa Prefectural Police arrested an American man on suspicion of violating the Japanese Cannabis Control Law and the Customs Act.
According to police, 37-year-old Morris Eugene Russell, an American national living in Okinawa City was arrested, Feb. 26, on charges of importing and possessing cannabis plant leaves that he had obtained from Canada and importing the pot to Okinawa by means of international shipping. He was also found to be in possession of the contraband.
Russell has reportedly admitted to the charges.
The Okinawa Regional Customs Office sent papers accusing Russell for a Customs Act violation to the Naha District Public Prosecutors’ Office Okinawa Branch on Feb. 21st. The Prosecutors’ Office issued an arrest warrant on Russell charging him with Cannabis Control Law and Customs Act violations on February 25th.
The Prefectural Police also arrested Russell’s 26-year-old wife Roxanne, a restaurant worker, on the same charges because she was found to be in possession of cannabis together with Russell.