1.
GV Paul McCartney and wife Linda walking from aircraft and posing for photographs (2 shots)
0.13

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CU Customs sign
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SV AND CU McCartney's luggage being opened and Cannabis being taken from suitcase (3 shots)
0.29

4.
SV Customs man closing suitcase and carrying it away (2 shots)
0.35

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GV ZOOM INTO SV McCartney being escorted, handcuffed, to a waiting car amid crowds of newsmen and onlookers
1.00

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GV Car away
1.04

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GV Police station sign
1.05

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GV Car arrives with McCartney at Police station. McCartney out of car with escort and into building amid screaming of girls
1.25

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SCU Weeping girls
1.34

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SV PAN NIGHT SCENES OF Crowds being held back by police outside station where McCartney held
1.39

11.
GV McCartney brought down steps outside police station and crowd surges forward forcing McCartney and police up stairs in retreat
2.18

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SV AND GV Crowds outside chanting
2.24




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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Japan, officials from the Japanese Narcotics Bureau said on Thursday (17 January) they want to detain the millionaire pop star, the former Beatle Paul McCartney, while they decide whether he should be deported or sent for trial on drugs charges. McCartney was arrested the previous day (16 january) after Japanese customs men claimed they found half a pound of cannabis in his luggage as he arrived at Tokyo Airport from New York. If McCartney is sent for trial and is convicted, he faces a possible prison sentence of up to seven years for smuggling.

SYNOPSIS: McCartney arrived from New York with wife Linda and their children. Fourteen years ago he came to Japan with the Beatles, but was refused entry for a later visit because of drugs offences. Customs officials say McCartney behaved oddly, and they searched his luggage. Among his clothes, they allege they found nearly half-a-pound (220 grammes) of marijuana. After several hours questioning, he was taken away in handcuffs.

Customs officials claim the singer admitted bringing cannabis into Japan--but only to smoke privately.

The Japanese are strict about drug offenses. However, despite the prospect of facing up to a seven year jail sentence, McCartney managed a few cheerful greetings for fans of his group, Wings. The Japanese promoters of McCartney's eleven-stop tour of Japan announced that all the concerts have been cancelled. Almost one hundred thousand tickets to the concerts had been sold, which now represent a loss of half a million U.S. dollars (GBP 250,000).

When the 37 year-old former Beatle arrived at the Narcotics Controller's Office, several fans were waiting to greet him. As the hours wore on more and more girls congregated outside chanting "Paul" and "Free Paul".

One girl is reported to have said "I cannot believe it, I will be standing here waiting for him to come out".

In 1972, McCartney and his wife were fined eight hundred pounds (1600 dollars) in Sweden for having marijuana sent from England. The next year, he admitted cultivating cannabis on his Scottish farm, although charges were withdrawn. And his wife, Linda, was convicted in Los Angeles for having cannabis in 1975--the same year the Japanese authorities refused them entry. But his arrest had not tarnished the McCartney image for his fans. At one time during the day, riot police were called to the building where McCartney was being questioned in scenes that were reminiscent of the days of Beatlemania. His wife and the other two members of the group waited to see if they are wanted for questioning.