A Japanese court has handed down a six-year prison sentence to an Australian woman, Donna Nelson, for smuggling amphetamines into the country. The Chiba District Court found Nelson guilty of violating stimulants control and customs laws, ordering her to pay a fine of 1 million yen ($6,671) in addition to serving the prison term.
Nelson, a 58-year-old from Perth, Australia, was arrested at Narita International Airport in Japan on January 3, 2023. Customs officials discovered approximately 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of phenylaminopropane, a stimulant, hidden in a false bottom of a suitcase she was carrying as checked luggage.
During the trial, Nelson testified that she was unaware of the drugs in the suitcase and claimed she was carrying them for a man she believed she would marry. The man, whom she met online in 2020, purported to be the Nigerian owner of a fashion business. He arranged for Nelson to travel to Japan via Laos to collect dress samples, but he failed to meet her as planned.
Presiding Judge Masakazu Kamakura acknowledged that Nelson was deceived but noted that she had suspicions about the arrangement. The judge emphasized that Nelson's desire to marry the man was exploited, leading to her involvement in the smuggling scheme.
Despite prosecutors seeking a 10-year prison term and a higher fine, Judge Kamakura imposed a shorter sentence, considering the circumstances. Nelson's lawyer expressed plans to appeal the ruling, asserting that it was unjust.
Nelson's daughter, Kristal Hilaire, expressed disappointment with the verdict, maintaining that her mother was a victim of a romance scam and not a criminal. Hilaire highlighted the family's support for Nelson and their determination to continue fighting for her release.
As Nelson begins her prison term, her family remains concerned about her well-being and mental state. The emotional toll of the trial has been significant, with Hilaire expressing worries about her mother's ability to endure another six years of incarceration.
Despite the challenges, the family is united in their efforts to bring Nelson back home and seek justice in her case.
