Confiscated amphetamine |
Recently, there has been a drastic increase in heinous crimes committed
by international organized groups. These crimes includes; murders, robberies,
theft, credit card fraud, as well as the smuggling and distribution of
firearms and illegal drugs. Furthermore, their modus operandi has become
more horrific, deliberate, and transnational.
Meanwhile, the Japanese mafia or "boryokudan" still pose a
serious threat to the livelihood of Tokyo residents. They have intensified
their fundraising activities through intervention into real estate transactions
and by involving themselves in the liquidation proceedings of firms that
claim bankruptcy. Besides using firearms during their "turf wars"
the boryokudan has on occasion worked with international organized crime
groups to jointly commit various crimes.
In an effort to wipe out these criminal groups, the MPD Headquarters
is moving ahead to combat these problems; in September 2001 the MPD established
the Organized Crime Control Headquarters, and in October 2002 the firearms
control and drug enforcement divisions were combined to form the Firearms
and Drug Control Division. An Organized Crime Control Section has also
been instituted within the MPD's police stations. |
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THE RECENT TRENDS OF INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS |
As a result of the MPD's "hard-line approach" towards international
organized crime groups in the Tokyo area, the approximate number of arrests
involving non-Japanese offenders in 2002 was 10000. The recent trends in
crimes committed by international organized crime groups are that they
are becoming more heinous, violent, complicated and involve advanced technology.
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Amphetamine on board of a fishing boat |
A stolen car in a container, ready to be shipped |
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THE TENSE SITUATION CONCERNING
CRIME COMMITED BY THE BORYOKUDAN
The MPD has ascertained that there are more than 16600 members, making up approximately 640 boryokudan groups in Tokyo Area. The MPD will continue to enforce all applicable laws and ordinances to contain their illegal activities.
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