Japanese police arrested two Vietnamese nationals for illegally renovating their homes to grow marijuana.

Cannabis is being grown in a renovated house. Photo: Sankei.

Two unemployed Vietnamese men, aged 40 and 44, were arrested by police in Hyogo Prefecture, southern Japan, on December 7th. They were residing in Kakogawa and Nishinomiya cities, respectively, according to Sankei News.

According to police, the two individuals installed lighting and ventilation systems in their homes to accelerate the growth of the plants. Police seized 279 cannabis plants and 100 grams of dried cannabis from the two apartments, with a total value of approximately 105 million yen (over $850,000).

Two Vietnamese men admitted to illegally cultivating marijuana, stating that they did so between September and October at the urging of friends. Residents living near the two houses reported the activity to the police after hearing strange noises. The police began an investigation in October.

Both houses were rented under different names. Hyogo police believe there are other suspects involved in the case and are investigating.

According to VNE