Ex-yakuza arrested for stimulant possession, 2 pistols seized

TOKYO (TR) – Following the arrest of a former gang member for drug possession in November, law enforcement on Sunday announced the seizure of two pistols believed to be connected to the suspect, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 16).

Earlier this month, officers seized the two weapons during the search of a car parked in a lot in Tochigi Prefecture and linked to Joji Tomishima, a 59-year-old employed in the automotive repair industry.

On November 28, officers from the anti-organized crime division of the Tokyo Metropolitan police took Tomishima into custody after discovering 1.7 kilograms of stimulant drugs (carrying a street value of 120 million yen) hidden in the back seat of a van parked in Yokohama. Syringes and scales were also seized from the vehicle.

Officers believe the pistols, including a Colt 38-caliber revolver, were to be used in a potential conflict with the Inagawa-kai organized crime group, of which Tomishima is a former member, regarding the sale of the drugs. There was no sign that the weapons had been fired.

“The drugs were entrusted to me by a foreign acquaintance,” said Tomishima, according to TV Asahi (Dec. 12).