Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/07/japan/crime-legal/pakistan-man-arrest-smuggling-drugs/
A major international drug-smuggling bust has exposed what investigators believe is a Pakistan-linked trafficking network attempting to flood Japan with illegal stimulants.
Japanese authorities have arrested Butt Shafquat Mushtaq, a 53-year-old Pakistani used-car dealer, along with five other suspects, over an alleged plot to smuggle a staggering 270 kilograms of stimulant drugs into Japan. The haul is estimated to be worth approximately ¥14.3 billion, underscoring the massive scale of the operation.
According to Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department, Mushtaq is suspected of being part of a Pakistan-based smuggling ring that orchestrated the shipment from the United Arab Emirates. The drugs were reportedly hidden in 18 out of 742 bags of white powder falsely labeled as cosmetic material—a calculated attempt to evade detection.
The container arrived at Tokyo Port in December but remained undisturbed for months, only being declared for import in March—raising serious concerns about how such a large consignment slipped through initial checks.
Authorities believe the operation was not a solo effort. The five additional suspects, identified as Pakistani and Sri Lankan nationals, are thought to have played key roles in handling export paperwork and coordinating transportation.
Despite the mounting evidence, Mushtaq has denied all allegations.
The case is likely to intensify scrutiny on international smuggling routes and organized networks operating out of Pakistan, as Japanese authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the operation and its global links.
Tags: JAPANESE POLICE, SMUGGLING, DRUGS, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA, PAKISTANI COMMUNITY, PAKISTAN-JAPAN RELATIONS, STIMULANTS, USED CARS, SRI LANKAN COMMUNITY
