How US busted a Japanese gangster seeking to sell nuke material to Iran

Jayanta KalitaTIMESOFINDIA.COM
Mar 11, 2026 | 21:24 IST
Takeshi Ebisawa (Photo: US Justice Dept/NYT)

Yakuza gang leader Takeshi Ebisawa thought he was dealing with US smugglers and an Iranian general. But they turned out to be an undercover US Drug Enforcement Administration officer and a confidential source

As the United States and Israel continue striking Iran in an effort to dismantle its nuclear programme, a court in New York has convicted a Japanese gangster linked to a plot to supply uranium and weapons-grade plutonium to Tehran.

On March 3, Takeshi Ebisawa, 61, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by District Judge Colleen McMahon for a range of transnational crimes, according to the US Justice Department. Additionally, he was given five years of supervised release following his prison term.
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