TOKYO —

Fifteen Iranians who are allegedly members of a drug-dealing ring in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, and 32 alleged customers including an animation artist and a flute player have been arrested on suspicion of violating the drug control law, police said Wednesday. The organized crime control section of the Metropolitan Police Department confiscated stimulant drugs and cannabis with an estimated street value of 20.4 million yen, according to the police.

Navand Mojtava, 22, suspected to be a leading member of the ring from Tsukuba, has denied the allegations, police said. According to the investigation, Mojtava and other alleged ring members were in possession of 35 bags of stimulant drugs and other illegal substances at an apartment in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward. Mojtava directed other members of the ring to take orders from customers in Tokyo and ordered Iranian and other dealers to deliver the drugs, police said. Around 100 to 120 names of customers, mostly Japanese, were registered on some 60 impounded cell phones, according to the police.

© 2008 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

4 Comments

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  rjd_jr at 08:34 AM JST - 8th May

  I wonder if they pay a cut to any other organized crime figures, they gotta pay the rent somehow right?

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  brotokyo at 12:48 PM JST - 8th May

  Wow! "Around 100 to 120 names of customers, mostly Japanese, were registered on some 60 impounded cell phones, according to the police. Go figure, mostly Japanese names on Japanese cell phones confiscated in Japan. After they round up those 100 to 120 cell phone owners (customers) and confiscate their phones ...

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  canadianbento at 10:11 AM JST - 9th May

  Are the "Authorities" going to "deport" the Iranian Drug Dealers?

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  nisegaijin at 01:59 PM JST - 9th May

  How do they know these numbers in cell phones are customers?

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