Yakuza Leader Admits to Global Plot to Traffic Nuclear Material, Narcotics, and Weapons through New York City
60-Year-Old Japanese Man Pleads Guilty to Leading International Money Laundering Operation
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, of Japan admitted to his involvement in a money laundering operation linked to international drug trafficking and arms deals, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. They announced that Ebisawa pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday to leading the operation, which involved uranium, plutonium, heroin, methamphetamine, and U.S.-made surface-to-air missiles.
The Yakuza: A 300-Year-Old Japanese Crime Syndicate
The Department of Justice (DOJ) referred Ebisawa as a Yakuza leader. They described the Yakuza as a 300-year-old Japanese crime syndicate involved in gambling, smuggling, and loan-sharking, known to use organized violence to influence business and politics.
Global Network Across Multiple Countries
Prosecutors detailed Ebisawa’s global network crisscrossing Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Denmark, and the U.S., dating back to at least 2019. When sentenced, he faces life sentences on multiple charges, with mandatory minimums of 10 years.
Admissions and Charges
He admitted to six charges, including international trafficking of nuclear materials, importing narcotics, conspiracy, and money laundering. In 2020, he started offering nuclear materials—uranium and plutonium—to undercover Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Special Agent Thomas McLaughlin, referred to as UC-1 by the DOJ. Ebisawa sent photos, lab results, and Geiger readings to prove their radioactivity.
Nuclear Materials and Weapons
Ebisawa allegedly wanted to sell these materials to another undercover operative pretending to be an Iranian general who was putting together a nuclear weapons program. In one video call, one of Ebisawa’s associates claimed to have over two tons of thorium and over 220 pounds of uranium. For reference, the Little Boy atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima contained about 141 pounds of enriched uranium. Samples seized by law enforcement did test positive for weapons-grade plutonium, uranium, and thorium.
Arms Deal and Weapons
As an arms dealer, one of Ebisawa’s splashiest charges—and guilty pleas—was conspiracy to possess firearms, including machine guns and destructive devices. He negotiated to trade meth and heroin for anti-tank rockets, machine guns, and Stinger missiles meant for Myanmar’s civil war, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Drug Trafficking
As a drug trafficker, Ebisawa negotiated heroin and methamphetamine deals intended for New York’s black market. In October 2021, UC-1 contacted him to broker a $100,000 transfer for about 220 pounds of narcotics from Mexico to Japan. They discussed the details in multiple recorded phone calls, according to the DOJ.
Conclusion
Ebisawa’s guilty plea highlights the significant threat posed by organized crime syndicates like the Yakuza, which use illegal activities to fund their operations and exert influence over legitimate businesses and political institutions. The U.S. government’s efforts to dismantle these networks and bring their leaders to justice are crucial in preventing the proliferation of illegal activities and maintaining public safety.
FAQs
- What is the Yakuza?
- What were the charges against Ebisawa?
- What was the scope of Ebisawa’s global network?
A 300-year-old Japanese crime syndicate involved in gambling, smuggling, and loan-sharking, known to use organized violence to influence business and politics.
International trafficking of nuclear materials, importing narcotics, conspiracy, and money laundering.
Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Denmark, and the U.S., dating back to at least 2019.
