Kansai officials today announced the indictment of two Vietnamese women, Ta Thi Linh, 26, from Ibaraki prefecture, and Hoang Thuy Tien, 25, from Saitama prefecture, on charges of drug trafficking.

The two suspects, both office workers, allegedly concealed a total of 31 kg of cannabis across four suitcases. They entered Japan from Thailand at Kansai airport in Osaka region on 12/10.

Cannabis seized in the October discovery at Kansai airport. *Photo: ABC News*

According to the Kansai Airport Customs Office, the suitcases were packed with dried foods such as dried shrimp and dried fish. During individual inspections, customs officers discovered a significant amount of tightly compressed cannabis hidden within.

This marks the largest cannabis seizure at Kansai airport since its opening in 1994. The street value of the confiscated cannabis is estimated to exceed 155 million yen (approximately 993,000 USD).

Japanese officials suspect the two women collaborated with an unidentified individual. Evidence suggests they received instructions through a secure messaging application, indicating a potential connection to organized crime.