Donna Nelson, a 58-year-old Australian woman, has been sentenced to six years in prison in Japan for smuggling methamphetamine, despite her claims of being a victim of an online romance scam. The sentence was handed down by the Chiba District Court, east of Tokyo, on Thursday.
Nelson was found guilty of bringing 2kg of methamphetamine into Japan, concealed under a false bottom in her suitcase, when she arrived at Narita Airport from Laos in January 2023. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence and a $30,000 fine.
Nelson maintained she was unaware of the drugs, stating that the suitcase was given to her by an acquaintance of a man she met online in 2020, whom she planned to marry. She claimed she was instructed to take the suitcase to Japan and give it to the man, known only as “Kelly”, who she believed was a Nigerian fashion business owner. He paid for her flight but was not at the airport when she arrived.
Australian federal health minister Mark Butler described the outcome as “really distressing” for Nelson’s family and confirmed that the government would continue to provide consular support. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook expressed hope for a successful appeal, noting that the two years already served would count towards the sentence.
Nelson’s legal team has indicated plans to appeal. Her family has protested her innocence, stating they will “never stop fighting for our mum”. The case has drawn attention to Japan’s justice system, where suspects can be detained for long periods before trial.
