U.S. authorities charged the head of a Japanese crime syndicate, identified as Takeshi Ebisawa, with alleged involvement in a scheme to smuggle nuclear materials from Myanmar, intending for their use in Iran’s nuclear weapons programs.
according to the Justice Department, Ebisawa, alongside co-defendant Somphop Singhasiri, 61, is implicated in the illicit trade of drugs, weapons, and nuclear substances, explicitly aiming to supply uranium and weapons-grade plutonium to Iran for the development of nuclear weapons, articulated Anne Milgram, the leader of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Justice Department, in its statement, confirmed that both individuals are currently in custody.
Ebisawa faces accusations of plotting to distribute weapons-grade nuclear substances and deadly drugs sourced from Myanmar and to procure military arms for a militant group, as stated by Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen.
Olsen expressed grave concerns over the potential ramifications had the accused’s plans come to fruition.
In 2022, Ebisawa and Singhasiri were initially indicted for international narcotics distribution and firearms violations. The recent charges are detailed in an updated indictment.
