Japanese authorities bust major drug smuggling network led by Pakistani nationals

Japanese authorities have busted a drug smuggling network by arresting a Pakistani man and five others for allegedly smuggling 270 kilograms of stimulant drugs worth approximately ¥14.3 billion from the United Arab Emirates to Japan several months ago.

However, 53-year-old Pakistani used car dealer Butt Shafquat Mushtaq denied the allegations against him. Tokyo police claimed that Mushtaq was a member of a Pakistani drug smuggling gang.

According to police, he hid the stimulants in 18 of 742 bags of white powder used as cosmetics in a container from the United Arab Emirates. The container arrived at a dock in the Tokyo port in December, according to police.
Five other men, who are also Pakistani or Sri Lankan citizens, are suspected of assisting with export procedures and transportation.