MIE (TR) – Mie Prefectural Police have arrested a council member for the town of Kihoku with past ties to organized crime for the possession of firearms and ammunition without a license, reports TV Asahi (Oct. 2).
Shiatsunobu Higashi, 62, was found to be in possession of two revolvers and 11 rounds of ammunition at his residence .
Higashi, who has been charged with violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law, admits the allegations.
In 2011, Higashi was arrested on fraud charges for using his health insurance to pay for medical treatment received by a gang boss with whom he was acquainted. The council member was subsequently found guilty and received a suspended prison sentence.
Police are now investigating how Higashi obtained the weapons.
