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Tokyo cops: Kiyohara received drugs from Gunma dealer

Kazuhiro Kiyohara
Kazuhiro Kiyohara

TOKYO (TR) – The day before his arrest at his apartment for possession of stimulant drugs, former professional baseball player Kazuhiro Kiyohara visited a dealer in Gunma Prefecture, investigative sources revealed on Friday, reports Sports Hochi (Feb. 6).

On Monday, the former Seibu Lions and Yomiuri Giants slugger traveled approximately 100 kilometers by car from his residence in Minato Ward to the dealer in Gunma.

The following day, Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested Kiyohara, 48, after a search of his residence revealed 0.1 grams of kakuseizai, or stimulant drugs. Police also found Kiyohara to be in possession of a syringe and straw.

Police had been monitoring Kiyohara since at least since the summer of last year. In August, police discovered body fluids disposed in his trash that tested positive for stimulant drugs.

Prior to his return to his apartment from Gunma this week, Kiyohara stopped at a hotel in Tokyo. The results of a test on body fluids found inside tissues left behind in the room he used confirmed the presence of stimulant drugs.

Over his 22-year career, Kiyohara established himself as one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s greatest sluggers. In his first season with the Lions in 1986, he slugged 31 home runs and was awarded Rookie of the Year honors. He ended his career with 525 home runs, which ranks fifth in NPB history.

Police also revealed on Friday that a urine sample taken from Kiyohara tested positive for stimulant drugs.

Following his arrest, Kiyohara admitted to inhaling and injecting stimulant drugs. However, he has refused to reveal how he obtained the illegal substances. Law enforcement is currently investigating whether organized crime members supplied the contraband to the ex-slugger.