YAMAGATA (TR) – Law enforcement in the Tohoku have carried out a series of raids in Sendai over the past month as a part of an ongoing crackdown on organized crime, reports NHK (Nov. 26).
Between the start of the month and Thursday, Yamagata and Miyagi prefectural police seized stimulant drugs and 240 rounds of ammunition during searches of approximately 20 residences and offices connected to the Namikawa Sogyo, an affiliate gang of the Fukuoka-based Namikawa Mutsumi-kai organized crime group.
Yoshinori Tamada, a 55-year-old member of the Namikawa Sogyo, and six other suspects have been indicted for the use and possession of stimulant drugs.
Also indicted were Yuji Ishiguro, a 44-year-old associate member of the same gang, and one other suspect for violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law.
According to Yukan Fuji (Nov. 26), the indictments are a part of push to reduce the activities of the Namikawa Sogyo, which is based in Yamagata’s Tendo City. In February of 2013, Yamagata police announced the formation of a special tactics force whose intent was to eliminate the gang as a means of ensuring the safety of local residents.