Japanese Crime Boss Pleads Guilty in NYC to Trafficking Nuclear Weapons and Drugs
A Japanese Yakuza leader’s criminal empire crumbles as he pleads guilty to trafficking plutonium, heroin, and missiles. 🌐 #News #NewYorkNY #NewYork #Crime
NEW YORK, NY – A Yakuza leader pleaded guilty to a string of grave charges in a U.S. federal court on January 8, 2025. Takeshi Ebisawa admitted to trafficking nuclear materials, including weapons-grade plutonium, smuggling massive quantities of drugs like heroin and methamphetamine, and even plotting to trade U.S.-made surface-to-air missiles. His case was heard in the Southern District of New York, one of the country’s most prominent federal judicial districts. His illegal dealings spanned several countries, involving an international network that included Myanmar, Japan, Thailand, and the United States.
What is the Yakuza?
A Yakuza leader is the head of a Japanese organized crime syndicate known as the Yakuza. The Yakuza are involved in a variety of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, gambling, and even human trafficking. These organizations operate much like criminal cartels in other parts of the world, with strict codes of conduct and hierarchy. The leader, often referred to as the “oyabun,” holds significant authority within the group and oversees operations and decisions. Yakuza groups are known for their strong, sometimes violent influence in both the criminal world and even legitimate businesses in Japan.
Takeshi Ebisawa’s Criminal Activities Exposed
Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, faced serious charges in U.S. federal court. He admitted to conspiring to traffic nuclear materials such as uranium and plutonium, all while engaging in an expansive drug and weapons smuggling operation.
The Yakuza leader was involved in a plot to send heroin and methamphetamine to the U.S. in exchange for heavy weaponry like surface-to-air missiles. These weapons were intended for use by armed groups in Myanmar, fueling a violent conflict in the region.
Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim emphasized the scope of Ebisawa’s activities, stating: “As he admitted in federal court today, Takeshi Ebisawa brazenly trafficked nuclear material, including weapons-grade plutonium, out of Burma.”
Kim referred to Myanmar by its former name, Burma, in his statement.
Investigation and Undercover Operations
The investigation into Ebisawa’s operations began in 2019. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been tracking his criminal activities, which ranged from large-scale narcotics trafficking to weapons deals and money laundering. Ebisawa had established an extensive international network of criminal associates in countries such as Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, and the U.S.
An undercover DEA agent was introduced into this network and soon found himself negotiating with Ebisawa for the sale of U.S.-made surface-to-air missiles and other heavy-duty weaponry. These weapons were intended for armed groups in Myanmar. In exchange, Ebisawa was willing to send large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.
In 2020, Ebisawa discussed his access to a substantial stockpile of nuclear materials with a DEA confidential source.
Later that year, he sent photos of “rocky substances” next to Geiger counters measuring radiation to the undercover agent, along with documents indicating the presence of uranium and thorium. Ebisawa even promised the agent access to plutonium, claiming it was “better” and “more powerful” than uranium for nuclear weapons programs.
Legal Consequences and Plea Agreement
As part of his plea agreement, Ebisawa pled guilty to six charges: conspiracy to commit international trafficking of nuclear materials, international trafficking of nuclear materials, two counts of narcotics importation conspiracy, conspiracy to possess firearms (including machine guns and destructive devices), and money laundering. Each of these crimes carries significant penalties, with potential sentences ranging from 10 years in prison to life, depending on the charge.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York acknowledged the extraordinary efforts that led to Ebisawa’s capture.
“It is thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division, the career national security prosecutors of this Office, and the cooperation of our law enforcement partners in Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand, that Ebisawa’s plot was detected and stopped,” Kim said in his statement.
As he awaits sentencing, Ebisawa faces the possibility of spending decades behind bars for his involvement in these criminal activities.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Japan | New York
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