A senior figure in a gang affiliated with the designated crime syndicate Inagawa-kai has been arrested on suspicion of using stimulants, in a case that came to light after a small fire at his home, Tokai TV reported.
Etsuro Ishida, 55, an executive in a third-tier Inagawa-kai organization who lives in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, is suspected of using a quantity of stimulants between around September 27 and November 5. He has admitted to the allegation, telling investigators "there is no mistake," according to the report.
Fire at 2am drew police to the room
According to police, a small fire broke out shortly after 2am on November 5 in a room in Orido-cho, Nisshin. Officers who responded questioned Ishida, who lives in the room, and found his behavior suspicious.
Straws and syringes believed to be implements for using stimulants were found in the room. A voluntary urine test later came back positive, leading to the arrest.
Police are investigating how Ishida obtained the drugs. The arrest points to the difficulty of keeping tabs on syndicate members: the Inagawa-kai is a designated crime syndicate — a group formally placed under police surveillance — and its affiliates are subject to restrictions that do not apply to ordinary citizens.