Ex-Suntory chairman referred to prosecutors in narcotics case
The Fukuoka Prefectural Police on Thursday sent papers to public prosecutors on former Suntory Holdings Chairperson Takeshi Niinami for allegedly violating the narcotics control law.The police are believed to have attached an opinion of "appropriate disposition" of Niinami, leaving the decision of whether he deserves a criminal punishment to the prosecutors.Niinami is suspected of importing supplements containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a potentially harmful component of cannabis, from the United States.The 67-year-old has denied the allegations. During a search of Niinami's home in Tokyo in August last year, the police did not find any illegal supplements. He also tested negative in a simple urine test.During voluntary questioning, Niinami denied his involvement, saying that the supplements were sent by a woman he knew from the United States on her own volition. At a news conference held last September, he maintained his innocence.Still, after coming under police investigation over the allegations, Niinami resigned as chairman of the Japanese beverage group and as head of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, or Keizai Doyukai.
