The lead singer of a clown-themed Iron Maiden cover band has been arrested for trying to smuggle cocaine into Japan.

Daniel Whitmore, the front man for Powerclown 44, tried to bring 22lbs of the powder into the country. Japan has very strict anti-drug laws.

The drugs are valued at $7 million.

Whitmore, of Vancouver, allegedly tried to sneak the drugs into the country inside a guitar case and tea containers.

'I don't know why he would've thought this was an option for anything,' friend Joseph Lambert said.

Daniel Whitmore, 44, tried to smuggle 10 kilograms of cocaine into Japan

Whitmore is the lead singer of clown-themed Iron Maiden cover band Powerclown

Whitmore's drug stash has been estimated at a price tag of $7 million. He is pictured above without his makeup on

'I mean he could have always asked for help. I think somebody told him he had to do it because this does not seem like Dan. I've seen Dan desperate for money. Nothing like this. This is not desperate for money, this is something else.'

The members of Powerclown released a statement through their lawyer, in which they said: 'If you somehow make it back here, and we hope you do, we may even go easy on you. Maybe. No promises.'

If convicted, Whitmore, who is nicknamed 'Dan Scum' could be looking at ten years in jail.

Authorities in Japan displayed his alleged stash alongside his music equipment after his arrest.

Whitmore attempted to smuggle the drugs inside of a guitar case and tea containers