The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday that Takeshi Ebisawa, the alleged leader of Japan’s Yakuza crime syndicate, has been charged with attempting to sell weapons-grade nuclear materials from Burma to buyers from other nations. According to reports from ABC News and The Hill, Ebisawa conspired in 2020 to transport uranium and plutonium, with the intention of enabling nations like Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen expressed concern over the chilling potential consequences of such efforts, emphasizing the importance of holding accountable those who traffic in these materials and threaten national security and international stability.
Ebisawa, aged 60, along with another defendant, had previously been charged with trafficking narcotics following their arrest in Manhattan in April 2022. Both individuals pleaded not guilty to federal charges, and a U.S. circuit court judge ordered their detention.
The superseding indictment in the case reveals that Ebisawa allegedly informed undercover law enforcement agents in 2020 about his possession of a large quantity of weapons-grade nuclear material. He reportedly provided the agents with photos of the substances and Geiger counters displaying their levels of radiation.
According to the indictment, when one of the agents mentioned that an Iranian general was interested in purchasing the nuclear materials for the purpose of building nuclear weapons, Ebisawa responded affirmatively, stating, “I think so and I hope so.”
The charges against Ebisawa underscore the gravity of the situation and highlight the ongoing efforts to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding against threats to global security and underscores the need for international cooperation in addressing such challenges.
