Drug Enforcement Officer’s Blunder at Dealer and Addict Hangout Revealed by Gun Incident

This is the latter part of an episode from 1972, when former narcotics officer Ryoji Takahama describes his 36-year career as a “Matrix” (narcotics officer). The story continues with his experiences in the Osaka districts of Naniwa and Nishinari, where he frequently visited for investigations. He recounts an unexpected “blunder” that occurred near a pachinko parlor he often visited for information gathering.

 

[Part 1] “Inside the Fight Against Drug Crime in Osaka’s High-Crime Areas and the Origins of the Matori Lifestyle”

Gathering Information at Hangouts for Drug Dealers and Addicts

The area on the eastern side of Nishinari Ward, adjacent to Abeno Ward, is primarily composed of densely packed small apartments. In some locations, the streets are so narrow that even ambulances and fire trucks cannot access them, and the layout resembles a maze. For those unfamiliar with the area, it can feel like a labyrinth from the moment they step in. This area has become a hotspot for drug-related crimes, making surveillance challenging and heavily reliant on information from informants.

In this area, there is “Tobita Shinchi,” a remnant of the old “Tobita Yūkaku,” with several traditional Japanese restaurants operating. The “Tobita Hondori” street, running north and south on the west side of Tobita Shinchi, is about 400 meters long and wide enough for only two cars. This street has three pachinko parlors.

These pachinko parlors often had drug dealers and addicts, so I would check each one to see if any informants or past drug offenders were present. If found, I would call them outside, take them to a nearby café or bar, and extract information about drug trafficking. If an informant was unavailable or inconvenient at the time, I ensured they contacted the office the next day.