26/06/2026
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26/06/2026
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TOKYO, Jun 26: Japanese police have arrested six people for allegedly attempting to smuggle 49 kilograms of gold bars worth about ¥1.075 billion (approximately $7.3 million) from China by concealing them inside life-size dolls.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said the suspects are accused of evading about ¥107.5 million in Japan's consumption tax. Those arrested include a 46-year-old Chinese company executive living in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture, a 38-year-old Japanese corporate employee living in Tokyo, and four other suspects.
According to investigators, the group allegedly attempted to bring the gold into Japan by air on January 6, hiding the bullion inside three life-size dolls that were declared to customs as mannequins. The dolls were then delivered to an apartment in Tokyo's Arakawa Ward.
Police believe the shipment was intended to be collected by one of the suspects before being transported by another Chinese national to the office of the Chinese executive's company. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the alleged smuggling operation.
