YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) An Afghan man suspected of attempting to ship acetic anhydride, a compound used to synthesize heroin, found in freight containers destined for Afghanistan in February has been arrested, investigative sources said Saturday.
The Kanagawa Prefectural Police made the arrest on July 31, about five months after some 2 tons of the chemical was found at the port of Yokohama. Police are trying to determine whether there is a link between the unidentified man and an organized smuggling ring, the sources said.
The man denied the allegations, according to the investigative sources.
The man, who is in his 30s, sells used cars in Tochigi Prefecture, the sources said. He left Japan before the substance was confiscated in late February and was arrested for allegedly violating the customs law when he re-entered the country via Narita airport, they said.
An arrest warrant was issued for the man on suspicion of trying to ship acetic anhydride to Afghanistan without permission, after bringing the substance to the port in more than 100 small tanks in late February.
The Kanagawa police suspect nearly a dozen people, including Japanese, Pakistanis and other Afghans, were involved in the operation.
At Yokohama port, 4 tons of acetic anhydride have also been discovered in freight containers bound for the United Arab Emirates, while 2 1/2 tons are being held at the port of Nagoya.
Regulations require both importers and exporters to report their trade plans to the government when dealing in chemicals that have acetic anhydride in 50 percent or more of their components.