(NewsNation) — A leader within Japan’s Yakuza crime syndicate is facing a slew of charges from the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly trafficking nuclear materials, including uranium and weapons-grade plutonium.
Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, allegedly conspired with a network of associates to traffic nuclear materials from Burma to other countries. Ebisawa, according to the DOJ, showed samples of nuclear materials in Thailand to an undercover U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Those nuclear samples were later seized and transferred to the custody of U.S. law enforcement. An American nuclear forensic lab analyzed the samples and confirmed that they contained uranium and weapons-grade plutonium.
“It is impossible to overstate the seriousness of the conduct alleged in today’s Indictment. As alleged, Takeshi Ebisawa brazenly trafficked material containing uranium and weapons-grade plutonium from Burma to other countries,” a statement from U.S. Attorney Damian Williams read in part.
Ebisawa allegedly believed that the materials were going to be used in the development of a nuclear weapons program.
He faces charges of conspiracy to commit international trafficking of nuclear materials, international trafficking of nuclear materials, conspiracy to acquire, transfer, and possess surface-to-air missiles as well as narcotics and additional weapons charges.
He faces multiple life sentences if convicted.
He’s scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Ebisawa was previously charged in April 2022 with international narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses.