Iranian Man, 57, Arrested Over Dealing Methamphetamine Worth ¥35 Million From Behind Used-Car Business Front in Ibaraki
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.
Ibaraki Prefectural Police announced by August 24, 2026 that they had arrested Khalili Ali, 57, an Iranian national who runs a used-car dealership, on suspicion of violating the Stimulant Drug Control Act for possession with intent to sell. According to TV Asahi (ANN) and the Ibaraki Shimbun Cross Eye, he is accused of possessing roughly 660 grams of methamphetamine — worth an estimated 35 million yen, equivalent to about 22,000 doses — for sale at his home in Tsuchiura City in July 2026.
Police searched his home after receiving a tip and found methamphetamine and cannabis hidden in a closet, among other places. His used-car dealership is believed to have had little real business activity and to have served largely as a front for dealing methamphetamine and cannabis. Two Brazilian nationals believed to have purchased cannabis from him have already been arrested.
Current status: The source of the methamphetamine, the sales network, and whether the case will be referred for prosecution remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.