Osaka prefectural police arrested five people, including Vietnamese men and women, on suspicion of running an unlicensed nightclub for Vietnamese customers, the force said on November 4. The arrests were on suspicion of violating the Entertainment Business Act through unlicensed operation.
The club itself held a business license, but police believe the application was filed in the name of a corporation that was not substantially involved in running the venue. The five were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to operate the club in June without permission from the prefectural public safety commission. Police have not disclosed whether the five admit or deny the allegations.
The venue sits in a building in Chuo Ward, Osaka, known as the "79 Building" — a seven-story structure that houses Vietnamese restaurants, karaoke parlors and other businesses. The nightclub was in the basement and is no longer operating.
Building searched repeatedly over drugs
Police have searched the building several times on suspicion it was connected to illegal drugs. They have arrested Vietnamese people at the club and in the building on suspicion of violating the Immigration Control Act and the Stimulants Control Act, among other allegations.
Large quantities of ketamine and the synthetic drug MDMA were seized from inside the club. Investigators have been looking into the belief that the club was supplying illegal drugs to customers.
The security division is investigating the corporation that filed the license application on suspicion of lending its name, a violation of the Entertainment Business Act.