Australian Grandmother Sentenced to Six Years in Japan for Drug Smuggling

Donna Nelson claims she was deceived by a romance scam, but Japanese court rules she ignored key red flags.

Donna Nelson, 58, was found guilty of smuggling £800,000 worth of methamphetamine into Japan and sentenced to six years in prison.
Nelson alleges she was tricked by an online love interest, known as 'Kelly,' who asked her to carry a suitcase that contained hidden drugs.
The court ruled Nelson ignored suspicious aspects of the request, including why Kelly's associate in Laos did not deliver the suitcase directly to Japan.
Nelson’s family and lawyer maintain she was a victim of a romance scam and plan to appeal the court's decision, calling the verdict unreasonable.
Japan's legal system, with a 99% conviction rate, has drawn criticism for its strict procedures, including prolonged pre-trial detention and limited communication for defendants.