Police announced on Monday the arrest of 46-year-old Zhou Jianjun, a corporate executive residing in Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture, along with five other men and women. They are accused of violating the Customs Act over the attempted unauthorized import of the precious metal.
According to investigators, the ring attempted to smuggle 49 kilograms of gold—comprising 38 bars valued at approximately 1.075 billion yen—on an air cargo flight from Shenzhen, China, to Narita Internatioal Airport on January 6. The crime was an attempt to evade approximately 107.5 million yen in consumption tax
Police have not disclosed whether the six suspects have admitted to the allegations.
The shipment of three adult love dolls was falsely declared at customs as “mannequins.” The gold was meticulously concealed inside the hollow metal tubes that formed the internal framework of the dolls.
The cargo was destined for an apartment in Arakawa Ward. Upon arrival, the suspects allegedly planned to dismantle the adult toys, extract the hidden contraband, and melt it down into 1-kilogram bullion bars at a separate location.
Investigators believe Zhou was the mastermind responsible for coordinating with an unidentified accomplice in China to arrange the shipments. Police believe the syndicate has repeatedly utilized this bizarre smuggling method to bypass customs.
