Approximately 75% of the total volume seized was in smuggling incidents using vessels. As regards conventional cases of large-scale stimulant smuggling using vessels, there have been numerous cases in which the substances are brought into ports in metropolitan areas, including Tokyo and Yokohama, by container. However, in 1999, it appeared that there were also criminal acts that attempted to unload substances from regional ports as well as coastal areas outside the ports by methods including the transfer of cargo from mother ship to small boats and concealment in trading vessels.
Smuggling methods are becoming increasingly skilled with substances being transferred to fishing boats and other vessels at sea (maritime transhipment) and being concealed in the freight of containers, for example. Furthermore, as regards the countries supplying the stimulants, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan accounted for the Second Period of Stimulant Abuse, whereas the Third Period of Stimulant Abuse comprises, for the most part, China and North Korea (refer to Diagram 2).
c) The Necessity of Alliances With Relevant Law Enforcement Authorities
The gathering of advance information on transactions is of extreme importance in order to uncover drug smuggling crimes such as these. JCG gathers information, focusing on information highly relevant to the sea, from those involved with vessels, marine affairs and fisheries, for example. Furthermore, through the exchange of information with the relevant law enforcement authorities, such as the police authorities, customs officials and the Narcotics Law Enforcement Office, regarding information related to criminal organizations, including crime syndicates, as well as domestic smuggling organizations and trade, JCG is cooperating to uncover these crimes by promoting information sharing.
