Kudo-kai gang affiliate busted for possession of rocket launcher in Kyushu, offices searched

TOKYO (TR) – The anti-organized crime division of the Fukuoka prefectural police on Wednesday arrested an affiliate of the Kudo-kai organized crime group for possession of a rocket launcher in Kitakyushu City, reports the Mainichi Shimbun (Oct. 17).

Kengo Kishira, 37, was taken into custody for the storage of a rocket launcher, five pistols, and 58 bullets — a violation of regulations related to control of explosives and the Swords and Firearms Control Law. The suspect is already under prosecution for fraud related to a payout of auto insurance.

According to the Japan Self-Defense Force, the rocket launcher (70 centimeters in length, 7 centimeters in diameter) is of Russian origin and suitable for targeting tanks.

According to Sports Nippon (Oct. 17), Kishira is an employee in the construction industry.

In investigating the the fraud case, officers on June 28 searched a storage unit in Tobata Ward registered to the suspect and discovered the weapons. “I have no connection to this,” Kishira is quoted by police in denying the allegations.

Investigators believe the weapons are a part of the arsenal of the Kudo-kai and are now attempting to determine how the suspect obtained them.

At 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, the Kudo-kai headquarters in Kitakyushu were searched by officers.

ロケットランチャー所持容疑、男を逮捕

Posted by Tokyo Reporter on October 18, 2012. Filed under Tokyo Daily,Yakuza. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry