Japanese Politician Detained In China On Drug Charges

Mark Ralston/AFP

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A Japanese city assembly member is being detained in China on suspicion of possessing stimulant drugs while at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, Japan Broadcasting Corporation reports.

Assemblyman Takuma Sakuragi, 70, of Aichi Prefecture, reportedly left for China on Oct. 29 for a business trip, and was taken into custody by Chinese authorities on Oct. 31 at the airport.

Japanese Foreign ministry officials said Chinese authorities told them Sakuragi had about 3 kilograms (more than 6 pounds) of illegal drugs - the specific drug was not named - in his suitcase, allegedly found during a customs check on his way back to Japan, according toJapan Times.

"At present, the local authorities are going through legal procedures to put him on trial," a Japanese official told South China Morning Post. Sakuragi has denied the charges, according to NHK.