After 18 days in Osaka Prefectural Police custody, bj-league star Lynn Washington was released on Friday, and authorities said they will not prosecute him on drug charges.
The Osaka Evessa, Washington's team since the bj-league's inception in 2005, issued a statement on Friday saying Osaka Prefectural Police informed the club by telephone of the veteran forward's release, but did not say exactly when that would happen. But Washington confirmed his release in an evening interview with The Japan Times on Friday. He also said he's returned to his Osaka home.
The 33-year-old Washington, widely recognized as the best player in league history, was arrested on March 13 in Osaka for his alleged involvement in smuggling marijuana (about 1 kg, according to published reports) into Japan last November. A package addressed to his wife, Dana, was allegedly shipped to Japan from the United States, a Cannabis Control Law violation.