Pakistani Man and Five Others Arrested Over Suspected Smuggling of 270kg of Methamphetamine from UAE Worth ¥14.3 Billion
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
A joint investigation task force of the Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo Customs announced by April 7, 2026 that it had arrested Bhatti Shafqat Mushtaq (53, transliteration), a Pakistani national, on suspicion of violating the Stimulants Control Act (import for profit). He is suspected of conspiring with unidentified others to smuggle about 270 kilograms of methamphetamine (with a street value of about 14.3 billion yen), concealed in a shipping container, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Oi Pier in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, between December 2025 and January 2026.
Bhatti is believed to be a member of a Pakistan-based smuggling organization. In addition, five men of Pakistani and Sri Lankan nationality were arrested on the spot on suspicion of violating the Act on Special Provisions for the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.
Current status: Bhatti has reportedly denied the allegations, saying he has "absolutely no knowledge" of the matter. As of this writing, it is not yet known whether the suspects will be referred for prosecution or indicted, nor has the full scope of the organization been clarified. This article will be updated as further details become available.
A street value of about 14.3 billion yen ranks among the larger cases in previously reported methamphetamine smuggling coverage. Regarding methamphetamine smuggling destined for Japan, other reported cases include an Iranian national's case involving a street value of more than 2.1 billion yen (related coverage) and the arrest of six Vietnamese nationals in Bangkok, Thailand (related coverage), suggesting that smuggling routes spanning multiple countries and organizations are targeting Japan.