Fukuoka cops arrest yakuza members for smuggling 4 kg of gold

FUKUOKA (TR) – Fukuoka Prefectural Police on Thursday announced the arrest of two organized crime members for smuggling gold plates into Japan from Hong Kong, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Dec. 25).

On December 12, Hiroaki Ishimaru, a 45-year-old member of the Yamaguchi-gumi, and the Fukuhaku-kai’s Yuichi Nagano, 30, attempted to conceal four gold plates, each weighing one kilogram, inside travel cases upon arrival at Fukuoka International Airport.

After a customs inspector was unable to clarify the travel history of the suspects, a search of their belongings revealed the contraband, which has a street value of approximately 18 million yen.

Both suspects have admitted to the allegations, telling police that they committed the crime to avoid paying importation taxes.