US says Japanese mafia boss conspired to traffic in nuclear materials

US prosecutors have charged an alleged member of the Japanese Mafia with conspiring to traffic in nuclear materials.

Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, allegedly tried to sell uranium and plutonium that he believed would be sent to Iran to make a nuclear bomb.

Ebisawa and a Thai co-defendant were previously indicted on weapons and drug charges in April 2022.

If convicted on the latest charges, he could face life in prison.

U.S. authorities say Ebisawa, who is being held in a Brooklyn jail, is a senior member of a Japanese organized crime syndicate known as the Yakuza, which operates in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and the United States.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Ebisawa and his “accomplices showed samples of nuclear material to undercover U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents in Thailand.”

The agent posed as a drug and arms trafficker with ties to an Iranian general.

Nuclear samples coming from Myanmar were seized by Thai authorities and transferred to US investigators. A US laboratory confirmed that the material contained uranium and weapons-grade plutonium.

Prosecutors also allege that Ebisawa attempted to obtain large quantities of military weapons on behalf of unspecified rebel groups in Myanmar.

Weapons included surface-to-air missiles, assault and sniper rifles, machine guns, rockets of various calibers, and a variety of tactical equipment.

“It is horrifying to imagine the consequences if these efforts were successful,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Alden said in a statement Wednesday. We will hold those who threaten us accountable.”

In February 2020, Ebisawa allegedly contacted DEA officials about selling nuclear materials. U.S. prosecutors said he explained via encrypted communication that uranium was “not good for your health.”

In September of the same year, Ebisawa is said to have emailed a letter containing the name of a mining company to an undercover Drug Enforcement Agency agent. He offered to sell 50 tonnes of uranium and thorium for $6.85 million (£5.4 million).

Prosecutors also said he sent a photo showing a “black rock-like material” on a Geiger counter used to measure radiation levels.

Mr. Ebisawa is charged with conspiracy to engage in the international trade of nuclear materials, conspiracy to import drugs, conspiracy to acquire, transfer, and possess anti-aircraft missiles, and money laundering.

A co-conspirator in the case, Thai national Somhop Sinhasiri, 61, has been charged with drug and weapons charges.

If convicted, both could face life in prison.

The two are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in New York federal court.