CRIME

Yakuza Boss Tries to Sell Nuclear Material to Iran

Manhattan, New York, USAThu Jan 09 2025
A leader of Japan's Yakuza crime syndicate, Takeshi Ebisawa, pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs, weapons, and nuclear material. He was caught trying to sell weapons-grade plutonium to an undercover agent posing as an Iranian general. Ebisawa's criminal activities went beyond drugs and weapons. He also dealt with nuclear material from Myanmar and tried to arrange large-scale deals involving heavy weaponry and narcotics. The investigation started in 2019 when the DEA discovered his possession of nuclear material. Ebisawa's plans were complex and involved many countries like Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, and the United States. He even showed samples of the material to the undercover agent, which were later confirmed to be weapons-grade plutonium. The DEA and other law enforcement agencies worked together to stop Ebisawa's plot.

questions

    What other governments might have been involved in the trafficking of nuclear materials?
    How does the plea of Takeshi Ebisawa challenge common perceptions about the reach of Yakuza crime syndicates?
    How does this case highlight the role of undercover operations in disrupting global criminal networks?

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