Yakuza Leader Ebisawa Pleads Guilty to Nuclear Trafficking

Takeshi Ebisawa, a leader in Japan's Yakuza crime syndicate, has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to trafficking nuclear materials from Myanmar, including uranium and weapons-grade plutonium, with the intention of selling them for use in nuclear weapons by Iran. This plea is part of broader charges involving narcotics and weapons trafficking, as Ebisawa also conspired to trade heroin and methamphetamine for heavy-duty weaponry such as surface-to-air missiles. The sting operation, led by the DEA with support from international partners, revealed a significant transnational criminal network. Ebisawa's arrest followed his interactions with undercover agents posing as Iranian buyers, during which he provided evidence of radioactive materials. His admission highlights the extensive reach of organized crime in nuclear and drug trades, with potential implications for global security. Ebisawa faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for April 9.