Popular Australian marathon YouTuber arrested in Japan for drug charges

Australian marathon YouTuber Matthew Fox arrested for drug offences in Japan - Photo: Kevin Morris

The 38-year-old man is accused of attempting to smuggle pills containing THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) from the US into Japan via an international courier service in February.

Denying accusations from Japan

Matthew Fox is also a podcast host and founder of the running media company Sweat Elite. Matthew Fox was in Osaka for the 2025 Osaka Marathon. According to Japanese news, Matthew Fox denies drug trafficking allegations.

In a recent podcast episode, Matthew Fox explained that he often brings THC gummies with him when he travels to help with anxiety and sleep.

Admitting that many countries are very lenient on THC products for personal use, Matthew Fox said: "I carry THC gummies when I travel and most countries don't care. But Japan is different - they tend to search you all the time."

Matthew Fox has a history of breaking the law in Japan.

Matthew Fox noted that he avoided bringing gummy bears into Japan because he knew of the country's strict drug laws. Fox's media company, Sweat Elite, has a large YouTube following and nearly 150,000 subscribers. The channel focuses on training methods for runners.

This is not Matthew Fox's first brush with the law in Japan. In 2023, he was banned from the Ageo City Half Marathon after being caught bib-fraud (running under someone else's bib number for personal gain).

If charged and formally convicted of drug importation, Matthew Fox could face years in prison or deportation. Additionally, if convicted, the athlete could face a lifetime ban from entering Japan.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/youtuber-marathon-noi-tieng-cua-uc-bi-bat-o-nhat-ban-vi-dinh-den-ma-tuy-20250412084149333.htm