SAPPORO (TR) – Hokkaido Prefectural Police have arrested an organized crime member for possessing multiple firearms inside a storage room in Toyohira Ward of Sapporo, reports the Mainichi Shimbun (Jan. 27).
On November 27 of last year, a search of the room, rented to Hiromi Fujita, a 52-year-old member of the Matsuba-kai, revealed four firearms, including a rifle and a machine gun, and a large quantity of ammunition.
Fujita was initially arrested for possession of stimulant drugs. During the investigation of that case, the firearms and ammunition were discovered.
According to investigative sources, Fujita, who has been charged with violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law, claims to have been “looking after” the arsenal on behalf of another person, according to the Hokkaido Shimbun (Jan. 27).
Fujita’s trial for drug violations began on Wednesday. In an opening statement for that case, the fresh charges regarding the firearms were announced.
