Ore. woman jailed for Adderall released in Japan

Carrie Russell was arrested in Japan on charges of smuggling amphetamines

KOIN 6 News Staff Published: Updated:
Carrie Russell was arrested and later released by Japanese authorities for transporting Adderall overseas. (Courtesy, the Russell family)
Carrie Russell was arrested and later released by Japanese authorities for transporting Adderall overseas. (Courtesy, the Russell family)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — An Oregon woman jailed in Japan after shipping herself prescribed Adderall has been released, officials confirmed to KOIN 6 News.

United States Senator Ron Wyden announced the release of Carrie Russell, 26, from a Japanese detention center Monday night.

“I’m thrilled that common sense has won the day and that Carrie is being released to her family,” Sen. Wyden said in a press release. “I want to thank Ambassador Kennedy and her staff for working closely with our office and their Japanese counterparts to get her released.”

Russell was taken into custody February 20 in Tokyo. She was in the country for a teaching job.

Her family sent an apology letter to the government of Japan, in which they said they did not mean to break Japanese law.

It is illegal to bring prescription medicine with amphetamines into the country.