US arrests yakuza gang leader along with 3 Thai minions for drug-weapon trafficking
Date 08 Apr 2022 time 17:12
US arrests yakuza gang leader and 3 Thai men for drug smuggling and weapons
AFP reported that on April 7 local time, US authoritiesmake a statementto the arrest of the yakuza gang leader along with 3 Thai people who smuggled heroin and methamphetamine and also trying to procure missiles for armed groups in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
The U.S. Department of Justice has identified Japanese yakuza leader Takeshi Ebizawa, 57, Sompak Raksaranee, 55, Thai nationality, Somphop Singsiri, 58, Thai nationality, and Mr. Suksan Julnan, 53 years old, Thai-American nationality. Arrested in New York on April 4 and 5 for smuggling drugs and weapons. and money laundering charges
An investigation by the US Drug Enforcement Administration in Thailand since 2019 found the men smuggled large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine with rebel militants from Wa State. Autonomous Region in Myanmar As Mr Ebizawa tries to trade in automatic firearms, rockets, machine guns and surface-to-air missiles. with Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger Forces (LTTE), Wa State Forces, Karen National Union, Shan State Army and other minority armed forces. In Myanmar, which has been fighting the junta’s army for a long time,
On Feb. 3, Mr. Ebizawa and his colleagues traveled to Copenhagen. Denmark to meet undercover agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and two Danish undercover police officers who are undercover to sell US military equipment. including machine guns and anti-tank rockets
The US Department of Justice states that “We accused Mr Ebizawa and his arms dealers and the DEA agents who were infiltrating. to be sold to armed forces abroad and smuggling many illegal drugs They also offered to sell 500 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine each to DEA agents for distribution in New York.”
During the investigation, Mr. Ebizawa testified that Mr. Suksan General of the Royal Thai Air Force and Mr. Sompak is a retired soldier The Department of Justice did not reveal how the four men got into the United States, according to the report. Al jazeera
The US Department of Justiceindicate thatOffenses for the smuggling of illegal drugs and weapons Including the possession of heavy weapons, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment. and money laundering charges carry a maximum prison term of 20 years.
Photi by REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo