Japanese prosecutors indicted David Adam Todd, a 44-year-old civilian U.S. Navy employee, for allegedly smuggling psychedelic drugs into Japan by mail.
The charges are based on violations of Japan’s Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act and Customs Law, according to a Yokohama District Public Prosecutors Office spokesman.
Todd, identified in January by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police as a ship repairman, is accused of mailing roughly 131 grams of powder containing psilocybin and psilocin, along with about 146 grams of solid material containing psilocin. These substances, found in psychedelic mushrooms, are classified as narcotics under Japanese law.
A conviction for importing narcotics in Japan can result in one to ten years of imprisonment.
Authorities allege Todd coordinated with an unknown accomplice to send the drugs from a U.S. post office around July 22, which then arrived at a Japanese airport between July 23 and 26. Customs inspectors discovered the drugs at a Yokohama post office. The package was described as sent through ‘unofficial military mail,’ though it’s unknown if this refers to the Military Postal Service Agency.
Todd was detained on Jan. 14 at his residence in Hayama, near Yokosuka Naval Base.
Some Japanese officials requested anonymity when speaking to the media. Randall Baucom, a spokesman for the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center, confirmed an investigation into a civilian employee for drug importation.
