A member of a Vancouver-based Iron Maiden tribute band has been arrested in Japan after allegedly smuggling $7 million of methamphetamine into the country.
Daniel Burton Whitmore, also known as Dicksee Di鈥橝nno in the band Powerclown, has been charged with violating the country鈥檚 pharmaceutical control law after being arrested in Narita airport in December.
Tokyo Customs seized 9.8 kg of methamphetamine from a Canadian male passenger arriving from Vancouver. The methamphetamine was concealed inside tea packages and a false bottom of a guitar case. pic.twitter.com/6rWoKEyjOG
鈥� 銈偣銈裤儬鍚� (@Custom_kun) January 4, 2018
Whitmore was found to allegedly have 9.8 kg of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment of a guitar case, tea ceremony box and a tea box, according to a statement by Japanese Customs.
Whitmore is believed to be in the custody of the Chiba District Public Prosecutors Office in Tokyo.
In a statement posted to the band鈥檚 Facebook page, Whitmore鈥檚 fellow band member Sketchy Klown confirmed the singer was busted for trying to smuggle drugs into Japan.
鈥淔lags are flying half mast at the Powerclown circus tent. I assure you, any frowns we are wearing are real,鈥� the statement reads.
鈥淓ven with his voice, the voice of a songbird, and his velvet-painting-smooth charm, he won鈥檛 be able to talk his way out of these hijinks, even if he did speak Japanese.鈥�
When a Canadian citizen is arrested in another country, they can contact Canadian consular officials to receive advice and assistance in navigating through the country鈥檚 justice system. Japan is known for having a 99 per cent conviction rate.
Black Press Media has reached out to Global Affairs Canada for comment.
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ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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