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Hyogo cops raid Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi HQ in drug probe

Officers entered the headquarters of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi in Awaji CIty
Officers entered the headquarters of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi in Awaji CIty

HYOGO (TR) – Hyogo Prefectural Police on Tuesday searched offices connected with the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi as a part of an investigation into a drug smuggling case, reports NHK (Mar. 8).

Police raided the headquarters of the gang, located in Awaji City, and an office of an affiliate organization in Kobe in search of evidence connected to the alleged smuggling of 100 kilograms of stimulant drugs into Kagoshima Prefecture.

Last month, officers took Hirotaka Tanaka, a 49-year-old member of the Yamaken-gumi, and four other persons into custody on charges of possession of the contraband — valued at seven billion yen — which was found inside a car carried by a ferry into Kagoshima Ferry Terminal.

The Yamaken-kumi is the largest organization within the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, which formed last year following the dissolution of the Yamaguchi-gumi.

Law enforcement has been on high alert over fears of escalating violence between the two gangs as they battle over turf across the nation.

In this investigation, police are hoping uncover evidence showing the movement of the funds obtained from the sale of the drugs.