CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A Kubasaki High School teacher is in custody on suspicion of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Japanese police said Wednesday.
The teacher, whose name has not been released, allegedly grew marijuana in the yard of his off-base home, according to Okinawa prefectural police.
He was taken into custody about two weeks ago after Japanese narcotics officers and agents with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service conducted a search of his home in Chatan, near Kadena Air Base, and confiscated a plant and several pipes containing suspected marijuana residue, police said.
Department of Defense Dependents Schools officials would not confirm any details concerning the case or name the teacher involved.
“Law enforcement officials are investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct related to Kubasaki High School,” Jonathan Beyer, an attorney for DODDS-Pacific said in an e-mail response to a Stars and Stripes query.
“As the investigation is on-going, we cannot comment further,” he wrote. “DoDDS-Pacific is cooperating fully with all local officials and takes any incident that may involve our students and teachers very seriously. The health and safety of our students remains our top priority.”
A second Kubasaki High School teacher reportedly had been questioned by NCIS agents concerning his colleague’s alleged use of marijuana and was informed Wednesday night that he was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
A Japanese narcotics spokesman declined to give details concerning the case, stating that it would be improper to comment because “others may be involved.”
The teacher being held by Okinawa police can be held and interrogated for up to 23 days before Okinawa prosecutors are required to either file charges or release him.
Stars and Stripes reporter Chiyomi Sumida contributed to this report.
