Osaka Yakiniku Restaurant Owner Arrested for Bold Methamphetamine Trafficking in Front of Shop

The ‘crime scene’ was right in front of their own shop.

The Osaka Prefectural Police arrested and indicted two individuals, including the owner of a yakiniku restaurant in Nishinari Ward, Osaka, on charges of violating the Stimulants Control Law by selling methamphetamine to foreign students and others by September 4.

“Defendant Daiki Matsuda (39) and defendant Ryo Kajino (44) are accused of selling 0.3 grams of methamphetamine to an Indonesian student for 24,000 yen in January this year. They used high-security messaging app Telegram to post messages like ‘I sell ice,’ using code words to attract customers. When customers arrived in their cars in front of the yakiniku restaurant they operated, the defendants handed over envelopes containing methamphetamine through the driver’s side window and received cash in return. Their clientele ranged from people in their 20s to 60s, and there were also women among them. Approximately 360 grams of methamphetamine, valued at around 24 million yen on the street, was seized from an apartment in Nishinari Ward that the two used as a storage space.” (According to a reporter from the social media department of a national newspaper)

 

Intimidating individuals entering the yakiniku restaurant

Due to the large quantities involved, additional offenses are suspected. How was their methamphetamine trafficking discovered?

“A foreign student who purchased methamphetamine from the defendants became disoriented while “sharing” it with friends. Accompanied by university staff from their study abroad program, they reported to the police. They explained the circumstances of the methamphetamine purchase, leading to the incident being uncovered.”

The yakiniku restaurant ‘Niku no Matsu-chan,’ which served as the venue for the drug trafficking, is located in a corner of a shopping street near Tobita Shinchi in Nishinari Ward. However, it is not featured at all on gourmet sites, raising doubts about whether it even operated as a ‘yakiniku restaurant.’ Local residents testify:

“In the evenings, when the restaurant opens, cars frequently come in front of the shop. Each time, staff would come outside and silently hand over envelopes. I’ve seen that scene several times. I think ‘Matsu-chan’ opened about two years ago. It doesn’t really give off the impression of being busy.”

Could it be that they neglected their main business of yakiniku and got involved in drug trafficking? In any case, it is something that can never be condoned.