TOKYO, Nov. 19 -- At least 12 people have been detained in recent months for trying to smuggle the anti-impotence drug Viagra into Japan. Two Japanese nationals, two Americans and eight South Koreans have been caught trying to sneak Viagra into Japan.
Since May, customs officials have seized 33,500 Viagra tablets, which sell for about $10 each in the United States. Authorities say each Viagra tablet is worth between 4,000 and 10,000 yen -- about $33 to $83 -- on the Japanese black market. One Japanese worker was fined 500,000 yen for concealing 3,000 Viagra tablets among travel souvenirs last May. A Korean woman was fined 700,000 yen for attempting to bring 6,000 tablets into Japan last month. The drug was returned to her when it was determined she planned to sell it in South Korea rather than Japan. Viagra is yet to be approved by the Japanese government. Adult males are allowed to bring 30 tablets with them when they enter the country, providing it is for their own use. Amounts of more than 30 tablets, or any attempt to bring the drug in by females, is illegal. Customs official Nobuyuki Takahashi says: 'In each case smugglers were asked to pay a fine andtake the tablets back the country of departure. Viagra may be approved in Japan next spring, but until then we will continue our vigilance.' ---
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