Yakuza Leader Pleads Guilty to Nuclear Trafficking and Drug Charges
Takeshi Ebisawa, a 60-year-old Japanese crime boss linked to the yakuza, has pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court to multiple serious charges, including conspiracy to sell nuclear material from Myanmar to Iran, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. This plea puts him at risk of facing a life sentence following his court appearance on Wednesday.
Ebisawa’s guilty plea stems from a 2020 undercover operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Prosecutors stated that he informed an undercover agent about acquiring significant quantities of thorium and uranium, which he intended to sell. Detailed reports show that Ebisawa attempted to broker the sale to an associate posing as an Iranian general. He even suggested supplying plutonium, which he claimed would be a more powerful alternative for nuclear weapons creation.
In addition to his nuclear dealings, Ebisawa was involved in the conspiracy to procure US-made surface-to-air missiles and heavy weaponry to supply various ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. Prosecutors revealed he had planned to receive significant amounts of heroin and methamphetamine as partial payment for these arms.
Ebisawa’s arrest and subsequent prosecution were carried out in collaboration with international law enforcement agencies from Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand. U.S. officials emphasized the critical nature of this case, citing Assistant Attorney General Matthew G Olsen, who warned that those who threaten national security through the trafficking of dangerous materials will face severe legal consequences.
Ebisawa’s sentencing is scheduled for April 9, bringing him closer to potentially facing a life sentence for his crimes.
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