Drug smuggling trial concluded in Guangzhou

The trial of a Japanese politician accused of attempting to smuggle drugs out of China has concluded Thursday evening in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province.

Takuma Sakuragi, a member of the Inazawa municipal assembly in Japan's Aichi Prefecture, was arrested on October 31, 2013 at a regional airport after being found in possession of three kilograms of methamphetamine.

The court was presented with 30 sets of evidence indicating Sakuragi's involvement in drug trafficking. Sakuragi denied the charges, saying he was not aware that the drugs were in his suitcase. Sakuragi's lawyer presented eight sets of evidence supporting his claim.

Prosecutors say Sakuragi, along with two other defendants, violated Chinese law by transporting large amounts of drugs, and should be punished accordingly. The court has not yet released its verdict.