Three Women Smuggle 8 Kilos of Pure Gold Sewn Into Underwear — Mastermind Arrested With a Defiant Stare

With gold prices soaring, even amateurs are getting involved

A man escorted from the back seat of a police car into a Tokyo police station faced a barrage of camera flashes without flinching, his expression defiant. The women brought in alongside him, however, desperately turned away or lowered their faces, trying not to be photographed.

On October 20, the Nishiarai Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested Masamori Nishimura (34, occupation unknown) and Mika Otsubo (30, occupation unknown), along with two other women, on suspicion of violating the Customs Act and other related offenses. Investigators allege that in July 2024, the three women smuggled 8 kilograms of pure gold in powder form (worth about ¥98.7 million) from Hong Kong to Haneda Airport, hiding it in pockets sewn into their bra tops and shorts. The group is accused of trying to evade approximately ¥9.87 million in consumption tax. All four suspects have reportedly admitted to the charges.

“According to the Metropolitan Police, Nishimura was the ringleader, while Otsubo and the other women carried out the smuggling. Each woman wore special undergarments with pockets, concealing the gold — divided into 33 small bags, with 11 bags per person. Customs officers at Haneda became suspicious after noticing irregularities in their appearance, and upon patting down their clothing, discovered the hidden gold. Otsubo is said to have told investigators that each woman had been promised a ¥150,000 reward,” explained a national newspaper reporter.

Earlier, on October 10, Osaka Prefectural Police arrested five men — including a Korean mixed martial artist — for attempting to smuggle 3.5 kilograms of pure gold disguised as championship medals. Three others were referred to prosecutors. The suspects allegedly aimed to avoid about ¥8 million in taxes and resell the gold at tax-inclusive prices for profit.

Due to skyrocketing gold prices, the number of gold smuggling arrests has been rising in recent years. Crime journalist Taihei Ogawa provided context:

“Because of how valuable gold has become, these crimes are escalating. Gold smuggling has always existed, but many offenders simply weren’t caught before. Typically, smugglers carry smaller amounts — around 500 grams, something that fits in a pocket. For reference, a large pure-gold necklace weighs about 400 grams. Some people make repeated trips abroad every month to smuggle such quantities. But doing that so many times is risky — it draws customs’ attention.

That’s why some criminals get greedy and try to move large amounts in one go for easy profit. Those are the ones who get caught. Customs officers immediately notice unnatural behavior or odd physical bulges — it’s impossible to hide 11 kilograms of gold sewn into your underwear, or to walk through the airport with a gold medal hanging around your neck.”

In 2020, gold was priced at around ¥7,000 per gram (¥7,174 on October 22, 2020). By October 22, 2025, that had tripled to ¥21,629 per gram — prompting even ordinary people to attempt smuggling, which has contributed to the higher number of arrests. Ogawa continues:

“Even 400 grams of gold is worth over ¥8 million. Selling it tax-free means about ¥800,000 in untaxed profit. Repeat that a few times, and you’re making real money — but some want an instant windfall, so they take reckless risks. This time, it was done in an organized way. They likely underestimated customs.

Customs officers are now laser-focused on gold smuggling. They can easily detect unusual movements, body shapes, or luggage. Carrying undeclared gold is an instant arrest — a clear-cut violation.”

Authorities hope this case will serve as a deterrent and lead to a decline in gold smuggling crimes.