Accused leader of Japan crime syndicate pleads guilty to attempted trafficking of nuclear materials from Myanmar News
VOA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Accused leader of Japan crime syndicate pleads guilty to attempted trafficking of nuclear materials from Myanmar

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) released a statement on Wednesday announcing that Takeshi Ebisawa, allegedly a prominent figure in Japan’s Yakuza crime syndicate, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic nuclear materials from Myanmar. 

This admission comes amid a broader investigation into a complex international network involved in the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and laundered funds. Ebisawa’s plea was entered in a Manhattan federal court, where he acknowledged his role in smuggling dangerous materials, including uranium and weapons-grade plutonium, intended for potential use in nuclear armament development.

Ebisawa, 60 years old, faced multiple charges related to his criminal activities. According to US prosecutors, he was implicated in a scheme that involved not only the trafficking of nuclear materials but also significant narcotics trade. The Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Edward Kim, highlighted that Ebisawa was involved in sending large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine to the United States. In exchange for these drugs, he sought advanced weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles intended for use in conflict zones within Myanmar.

The charges against Ebisawa date back to February 2024, when he was accused of planning to transport nuclear materials with the belief that they would be utilized by Iran in its nuclear weapons program. His criminal activities reportedly began as early as 2020 when he communicated with an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent and an informant posing as an Iranian general. During these interactions, Ebisawa claimed access to substantial quantities of nuclear materials sourced from an unnamed leader of an ethnic insurgent group in Myanmar.

In court proceedings, it was revealed that Ebisawa provided photographs and documentation purportedly demonstrating the radioactive nature of the materials he intended to sell. Laboratory tests later confirmed that the substances contained measurable amounts of uranium, thorium, and plutonium, with the latter being classified as weapons-grade. This revelation underscores the serious implications of Ebisawa’s actions on global security, further marking a significant moment in the ongoing efforts by US law enforcement to combat international organized crime linked to nuclear proliferation.

The Yakuza is a notorious organized crime syndicate in Japan known for its involvement in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and arms smuggling. The group’s influence extends beyond Japan’s borders, often engaging in transnational criminal operations. Ebisawa’s case underscores the critical need for international cooperation in addressing the multifaceted threats posed by such networks. The trafficking of nuclear materials is particularly concerning due to its implications for global security. The potential for these materials to fall into the hands of rogue states or terrorist organizations raises alarms among international authorities.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Standard Oil incorporated

On January 10, 1870, John Davison Rockefeller incorporated Standard Oil. Rockefeller's corporation would grow to achieve a virtual monopoly over oil production in the United States. Standard Oil's dominance lasted until the corporation was split into 34 separate companies in 1911 after the Supreme Court found the company in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The rise of Standard Oil made Rockefeller America's first billionaire and eventually the richest man in the world. Read the text of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey vs. United States, 221 U.S. 1 (1910).