crime

NZ male model-actor arrested over cocaine possession

71 Comments

A male model-actor from New Zealand who appears in TV commercials in Japan has been arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession.

According to media reports, the suspect, identified as Kieran Price, 25, was stopped for a random search on the street in Tokyo's Roppongi district around the middle of this month. TV Asahi and the Yomiuri newspaper quoted police as saying that the suspect threw a plastic bag containing white powder away and tried to flee before being apprehended.

An analysis of the bag's contents showed it was cocaine, TV Asahi quoted police as saying.

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71 Comments
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Police in Japan don't need a warrant or probable cause to search. Having said that, I must say that the police I've been searched by (on two occasions) have always been extremely polite about it.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Gee neat thanks for helping foreigners look bad, NZ ones at that, bro.....

7 ( +15 / -7 )

Was Price only arrested for possession of cocaine? What about littering (tossing the bag) and resisting arrest (running away)?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Another victimless crime.............but meddling with drugs as a foreigner here is just dumb, dumb, dumb.

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

I was stopped on Thursday by two cops in Nakano in the afternoon, walking calmly, wearing summer biz office wear. No explanation given, Asked all sorts of questions. They didn't search me but they copied down lots notes from my gaijin card. Maybe this is from the new Abe rule of law policy? Target gaijin randomly and frequently?

If so, the US and EU could institute a reciprocal agreement: allow random interrogation of Japanese citizens in those countries with no probable cause? How would that fly?

17 ( +25 / -9 )

Random? And it just happened that he was carrying coke? I suspect that there is more to this.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

you don't do random searches and just happen to find coke in Japan, there's got to be more to the story...

12 ( +12 / -0 )

By what I understand a Japanese Citizen has every right to question being stopped and to refuse search or interrogation for insufficient reasoning. I have heard that foreigners must show their ID however whenever stopped and asked to display it. Does that mean that they also can be searched?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I love how they said it was a random search. There's nothing random about singling out foreigners for "random" inspection. Happened to me twice already at two different stations. To test my theory, I hung around a bit after in the distance to watch the undercover cop. Not one Japanese person pulled aside for questioning, but he did interrogate 2 more foreigners.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Japanese nationals are searched more than foreigners in Japan.

-16 ( +5 / -21 )

"Man, I'm so cool, I'm hot. Chicks love me, the world is mine. I'm like superman. Nothing can hurt me. Having some coke will make me even cooler...even more invincible."

That's just my guess about the depth of his thinking. Or perhaps I was giving him too much credit.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Letsberealistic, same here: in 14 years I have never been stopped, except once I was ridding my bike late at night and I was stopped at a checkpoint. but they were checking everybody, so no profiling here. I do know that they stop foreigners that fit a certain profile late at night in Roppongi, and the reason is that some of them overstay their tourist visa and work in bars, etc.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

apanese nationals are searched more than foreigners in Japan.

Really, wow 98% of the population are searched more than 2% of the population, how about as a percentage?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The j cop just target gaijins. I have been here nearly 17 years. I have had my fair share of "random" checks. But oddly I have never heard of a Japanese person being searched !

No, they cannot search unless you say so! Unless you were truly doing something bad. I have refused many times all they do is stand there and look stupid.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Any foreigner dabbling with coke meth heroin lsd x or any other drugs here is a total fool considering the freedom with which alcohol flows here and how acceptable it is to get plastered beyond sense.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

@ herballifestar - I'm pretty sure the cops don't keep stats on these things, so it's probably impossible to prove. However, I don't know ANY Japanese (or Chinese students/residents for that matter) who have been "randomly" ID-checked/searched by police here in our small city. Every long-term foreign resident I know - including yours truly - has a few times. Us dorky white english teachers in our ill-fitting suits obviously match the profile of tough looking "gangsta" in many cops books!

As for the kiwi male model - he doesn't sound the sharpest tool in the box. Shoulda stuck to the beers, eh bro! Hope he doesn't cop a long stretch.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It was just a bit of coke.

Give the guy a break...

-1 ( +8 / -10 )

Is this him?

https://twitter.com/KieranJPrice

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@BurakuminDes - Among all foreign nationals in Japan, Chinese are the highly searched ones. If you live in Tokyo, go to Ikebukuro station - North Exit. Stand there for an hour or so. You will see what I am saying here.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

foreigners need to show there ID by law when asked by police, but they are not allowed to search your possessions unless they have a warrant, or unless you give them permission. also of note that any aggressive behavour will only give them an excuse to arrest you or take you to the station for questioning. so best is to let them check your ID but politely refuse a possession search until they show a warrant.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@ herbalifestar - fair enough - I'm rarely in Tokyo. I'm just going on anecdotal reports of my students and others I know. I suspect most of the time the cops can't even distinguish between a Chinese/japanese guy walking down the street. In any case, racial profiling is not effective policing overall.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@BurakuminDes - Japanese cops can't distinguish between a Chinese/Japanese guy walking down the street? What are you talking about? Me who is an African and I can distinguish Japanese, Chinese and Koreans talk less of Japanese cops.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Throwing your cocain where everyone can see it and then trying to run? That is just stupid, no matter where you are in the world. Based on this behavior alone, I agree with others here that there must have been something more than his just being a foreigner to get police to stop him.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ herbalifestar - lol - you actually think all Japanese look alike, all Chinese look alike, all Koreans look alike - and that you can distinguish between them on the street purely by appearance? I'm calling BS here, my African friend! You simply would not be able to pick the chinese girls or boys in my university classes on appearance. Guaranteed.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I have been here 27 years and have been searched three times, but I usually making moans when they search my private area, that puts a end to that, plus once I said to the patrol men, isn't there far worse crimes going on then searching me, and spoken with a Perfect Japanese Accent, next time they drove by, they saluted me.. LOL(Oh BTW I was waiting for my GF to get off work, she worked a Night Job opps)

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The exercise of police power must be conducted on the basis of the spirit of Due Process of Law.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Me too, in 18yrs here I have never been stopped by a police officer. I'm not saying it doesn't happen - but you'd think if they were really out to get us we'd all have stories to tell. I guess if I hung around Roppongi in the middle of the night then my chances of getting stopped may go up.

I have had to call the police once, and they were courteous and professional - not like cops back home on ego-trips.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

I've never been searched but I've been stopped for not putting on my bicycle light at night. I have scene several Japanese people being randomly stopped by the police on the street. None of them were wearing a suit, however. I just saw a young guy being questioned by the police on Meiji street, just in front of Shirahige bridge, a few days ago. He was just sitting on a bicycle, checking his cell phone, apparently waiting for someone.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

papasmurfinjapan. I have been stopped a couple of times riding by bicycle home late at night (way over the limit). And once a guy tried to pick a fight with my Japanese friend at izakaya and I stood up to him(cops were called needless to say). In all cases the police were very courteous and professional. Have to agree with you on the difference to back home where most of cops are totally on ego -trips.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

He is an idiot for having that junk.

Oh and btw Roppongi, the armpit of Japan that needs an enema real bad.

I just wish the Japanese police would do a better job of cleaning up that slum.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Never have been stopped or searched by police in the near decade that I'm living here now. Maybe it happens a lot in shady downtowns like Roppongi. But that place is the last you want to be anyway.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Roppongi, the armpit of Japan that needs an enema real bad.

How do you give an armpit an enema? : )

7 ( +9 / -2 )

just to add to the stats here: im averaging 1 stop a year (not counting narita airport), half of those include a search. never in the middle of the night and always while im walking. only once in roppongi (middle of the day). and i couldnt care less how courteous they were while treating me like a criminal. its an awful feeling to be pulled out of a crowd by the police because youre not japanese. if my children are ever with me when this happens, i dont know how i would explain this to them. and @letsberealistic- i wouldnt consider myself to look menacing or in any way worthy of extra police scrutiny

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I've never been stopped by the police in Japan, but then I rarely go to questionable areas. I've been here for more than 8 years now. I do get stopped at the airport though. I would say 90 percent of the time I am usually asked to empty my bag or have it scanned again. I'm not sure what that's about.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Jeff Lee, loved your comment. I've been here a couple of decades and have been all over and heard some horror stories about bring searched but I have never been approached by the Japanese police. I would probably just tell them off anyway. However, I was once tailed when my new home was being built. It seems they were shocked to see who was going to move in to the neighborhood. Surprise!!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I wonder if confessing immediately will spare him being held for twenty one days, and shunt him straight through court. They'll probably still sit on it for three weeks just for laughs.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

First one, same name, same nationality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OanCEN-svYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JvcNIcFq2w

Not sure about this but I see Sky Tree Tower:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLQ781g6SX8VJzwo6lY6Jsw

Does this mean he has to leave Japan?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

In my part of Tokyo, Japanese get stopped by the J cops every day and night!! Usually checking if their bikes are not stolen, etc.. I think the cops in my part of Tokyo are great! Better than the LAPD!!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Totally nibbed az bru.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

By what I understand a Japanese Citizen has every right to question being stopped and to refuse search or interrogation for insufficient reasoning.

Practically speaking no Japanese citizen is going to refuse to show ID or cooperate with a pat down. I saw a group of four or five skateboarders getting patted down on a street corner the other day by two bicycle cops. They were all very politely showing their ID and opening their bags for the cops to look inside.

I have heard that foreigners must show their ID however whenever stopped and asked to display it. Does that mean that they also can be searched?

I've only ever been asked for ID twice .... both times very politely. They never asked me to consent to a search. If you refuse a search, I'd expect to take a ride down to the station. Its not right, but that's the way it is. If you really must do drugs in Japan, (clearly a bad idea) don't walk the streets with any of the evidence in your pocket.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Kakurenbo, I think the drug possession was the more serious/substantial charge here. Littering? Hey that happens a lot there...as for resisting arrest it may be that in the US but not necessarily in Japan where if night mean putting up a fight to avoid apprehension.

I lived in Japan for about 7 years but only stopped once when I had a GF on the back of my bike.....'futari nori dame da yo!'

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Dumb to do drugs here, not worth it

And dumber to carry them around

3 ( +4 / -1 )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3jwvkJUjN8 Pocari water commercial (from YouTube: Thanx ->Pukey2<-)

Hopefully this young man can get the help he needs to get off these drugs. Could also be buying drugs for the higher-ups also.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Does this mean he has to leave Japan?

He's ruined his career in Japan. He won't get visas again. But he may stay a while in jail before that. That depends how much he had, if they find some more where he lives.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It always surprises me that there are people who are so obviously into their own bodies, do modelling and have uploaded so many exercise videos would go on to abuse their bodies with drugs. Or is this a way of staying slim - he'd certainly make a perfect 'Tarzan magazine' model - thin and caucasian. What a waste. Reminds me of some people at my old gym - they'd exercise rigorously and frequently, and then use the ashtray kindly provided by the gym!!!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If he did it in other Asian countries, he might have faced the death penalty. he is lucky as there is no worry about such a thing here.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

12 years in Tokyo here, stopped once by one cop, mostly asked about the weather in my home country.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I've never been stopped by the police, but that's not the point of the story. This silly guy doesn't help us out by having the drugs and attempting to flee.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I've never been stopped by the police, but that's not the point of the story. This silly guy doesn't help us out by having the drugs and attempting to flee.

Unless you have "model good looks" -you shouldn't worry. It take that back, have a treat or two on you just in case the KeyStones are hungry or stay away from the Kobans. =This turn-coat Gaijin has just made foreign males lives much more difficult. Get on his YouTube account and start bitching.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

A model should be a 'role model' but he chose his road to hell!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I have no sympathy for this dope fiend. Hopefully, Japan will let this guy rot in prison.

RR

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

In my 11 years in Japan I was never stopped by a cop. I crashed into various koban completely drunk in order to ask the way to the station countless times though. They were always extremely helpful...I don't do drugs though...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Spend 16yrs here never was stopped by the police for a check, sometime shops ask me if they can see my ID or take a copy.

Always had good experiences with the local cops when I needed assistance. Said that I don't do drugs and never get really drunk.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

He is not going top enjoy his last months in Japan thats for sure.I actually feel sorry for him.bad mistake on his part

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I have a couple of friends from Myanmar. They get carded and searched at least once a month. Last time we went drinking (in Kashiwa of all places) the police stopped all 3 of us, carded them, and left the one really obvious foreigner alone. They didn't even ask me for a card. I have been stopped 3 times in 20 years, and never searched. It honestly is not the white foreigners that get the most hassle, although in certain areas they think white guys may be taking drugs, so they target us in those places.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Yomiuri newspaper quoted police as saying that the suspect threw a plastic bag containing white powder away and tried to flee before being apprehended.

So I suppose either he is an total idiot or this is an effective ruse with the cops in New Zeland:

NZ Police: "BLIMEY he's thrown the precious evidence, it's mine!"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What a waste, if I have to believe the pictures on google or the youtube link above he is a pretty good looking kid, to obad he ruined it by doing dope. Btw what is the punishment for possession of drugs here in JP?

Also there was another male actor caught before 1, or 2 years ago, American. Who had marihuana stashed away at his home, whatever happened to him?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I've lived in Japan about 8 years. I think I've been stopped about 6 times in total. Maybe I look dodgy.

The last time it happened was ultra weird. The cop asked to see my passport, so I asked him if it looked like I was on holiday. Once it was established I lived here, he got more intense, copying down every detail from my gaijin card. He even asked what airport I used to enter Japan. I asked him for his badge number (which is my right to do so) he covered his badge up with his hand. Heh, sadly for him, I filmed it the incident including his badge. He kept me waiting 40 mins while he checked up on me.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"BLIMEY he's thrown the precious evidence, it's mine!"

That would be a pommy Bobby saying Blimey.

I think this dude was dobbed in. Chances of it being random in Roppongi are pretty slim, too many Gaiks there.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sorry to hear that forigners get random searches, I'd never been searched but thats probably I don't hang around in Shinjuku at night.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I did hang around Shinjuku a lot at night, never carded. You can say alot about jcops, but in Kabukicho they mostly know what they're doing, it got cleaned up nicely in the past 15 years. Roppongi is more of a lost cause, but if they stop someone there's probably a reason for it. You can whine about your god given rights all you like, but this isn't America and they can't listen in on all your phone calls for a couple of years before deciding to pick you up at work.

Besides I'd gladly get carded a couple of times if it means trash gets caught and if you don't like it then find a classier part of town. :)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

You can whine about your god given rights all you like

brilliant. i cant understand why racial profiling has such a strong following here.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If he was an actor, he should have just snorted baking sugar and acted high.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I have never been randomly stopped by the police in over 15 years in Japan. The only time I have been stopped was for a routine bicycle check. At the time I was riding my girlfriend's friend's father's bicycle. That took some explaining!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Used to get stopped twice a year, but it seems I've aged out of the target demographic. Jgf still gets stopped when they have bike crackdowns. Anther woman friend had her bicycle seized. It was not a stolen bike, but she'd gotten it secondhand from a relative and had no proof of ownership or registation. She never got it back.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Foreigners anywhere are always more suspect than locals. What would rate a slap on the wrist for a local will get heavy time for the foreigner. Maybe not just but usually true in most of the world and it won't change. Maybe cocaine possession would not have been such a serious rap on his home turf, but he wasn't on his home turf.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I don't know about NZ,but it is a felony in here. this kiwi dude will be charged with possession of drugs,and later be deported. he does not be allowed to set foot on Japanese soil,forever.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

23 years never searched. Why this discrepancy in testimonies? I expect it has to do with location, but is not obvious without background knowledge of the areas.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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