On December 12, Hiroaki Ishimaru, a 45-year-old member of the Yamaguchi-gumi, and the Fukuhaku-kai’s Yuichi Nagano, 30, attempted to conceal four gold plates, each weighing one kilogram, inside travel cases upon arrival at Fukuoka International Airport.
After a customs inspector was unable to clarify the travel history of the suspects, a search of their belongings revealed the contraband, which has a street value of approximately 18 million yen.
Both suspects have admitted to the allegations, telling police that they committed the crime to avoid paying importation taxes.
