Two Irish men arrested in Japan over suspected heroin possession - reports
Two Irish rugby fans arrested in Japan at the weekend for allegedly possessing heroin could be kept in detention for another 20 days.
The men, reportedly from Dublin and Cork, were arrested at a Toyko karaoke bar after police were called by staff in relation to a “collapsed foreigner” in a booth.
One of the men was arrested by police and a substance, which was reportedly “attached to a binder”, was taken away for analysis.
A second man was said to be in an unconscious state and taken to hospital, where he was later questioned.
Reports in local English-language media Japan Today, Fuji TV and Toyko Reporter revealed details of the incident and the arrests.
The men, aged 28 and 31, were detained by officers from the Shinjuku Police Station.
They told police that they had come to Japan a week earlier for the Rugby World Cup and were going to see the Japan-Ireland game on Saturday.
One the men reportedly told police: “We were scheduled to watch the Japan-Ireland match.”
After being arrested under the Japanese Narcotics Control Law, this suspect reportedly denied the allegations.
According to police, an employee of the karaoke bar rang them between 10.30pm and 11pm on Friday to report that a man was lying unconscious in a booth.
Under Japanese laws, people arrested for a suspected criminal offence can be detained for up to 23 days, the first two days under the authority of police.
After that, police must present suspects to the public prosecutor who can, and usually does, extend detention for 10 days. The prosecutor can apply to a judge for a further ten-day application.
Bail is not thought to be an entitlement before charges are brought. Phone calls are also thought to be restricted when suspects are in detention prior to a decision being made on charges.
The Irish embassy in Japan has been informed of the arrests.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “We are aware of the case and providing consular assistance.”
Garda sources indicated that they had not yet been contacted by Japanese authorities in relation to the arrest of the two men.
Gardaí are often contacted by police abroad when they arrest a suspect from Ireland, usually to determine if they have information as to whether or not the person is a criminal or has criminal convictions.
This is typically done through Interpol.
