IBARAKI (TR) – Ibaraki Prefectural Police have arrested a 57-year-old Iranian national accused of hoarding roughly 35 million yen worth of illicit drugs for sale at his residence, reports TV Asahi (Aug. 24).
Ali Khalili is suspected of possessing approximately 660 grams of kakuseizai (methampetamine) with the intent to distribute last month. According to police, a raid on his Tsuchiura City home uncovered the massive haul of drugs, along with a quantity of marijuana, hidden inside a closet.
While Khalili ostensibly runs a used car dealership, investigators revealed that the company has almost no actual business operations. Police suspect the dealership was merely a front and that Khalili was operating full-time as a smuggler and dealer of stimulants and marijuana.
The raid was launched following a tip-off provided to prefectural police earlier this year.
In connection with the drug ring, officers have already arrested two Brazilian nationals who were caught red-handed and are believed to have purchased cannabis directly from Khalili.
Police are continuing their investigation into the suspect’s smartphone and financial records to determine the full extent of his customer base and distribution network.
