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Ex-baseball star Kazuhiro Kiyohara arrested for drugs

Kazuhiro Kiyohara
Kazuhiro Kiyohara

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested former Nippon Professional Baseball star Kazuhiro Kiyohara for the possession of stimulant drugs, reports TV Asahi (Feb. 3).

At just before 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, police entered Kiyohara’s residence, located in Minato Ward, and found 0.1 grams of stimulant drugs.

Kiyohara admits to the allegations.

In March of 2014, weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun ran a story that claimed Kiyohara was hospitalized for drug use.

When confronted about drug use by Fuji News Network in October of last year, the ex-player refused to offer comment.

Over his 22-year career, Kiyohara established himself as one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s greatest sluggers. In his first season with the Seibu Lions in 1986, he slugged 31 home runs and was awarded Rookie of the Year honors. After stints with the Yomiuri Giants and Orix Blue Wave, Kiyohara ended his career with 525 home runs.

Police are now seeking to determine how Kiyohara obtained the drugs.