Arrest warrants were issued on Dec 4 for Manabu Oshio, 31, and his former manager Ryohei Endo, 28, on charges of destruction of evidence, as well as an acquaintance by the name of Yusuke Izumida, 31, suspected of selling MDMA to the actor. The actual arrest did not take place until three days later, while police waited for Izumida, who was in hiding, to contact Oshio.
According to a police insider, the missing Izumida had been considered the key to the investigation of the drug route, in order to identify others who might have purchased drugs from this individual. The police intend to look into the rumored widespread use of illegal drugs in the entertainment industry. To this end, law enforcement authorities decided to arrest all three individuals simultaneously, which would allow them to look for any discrepancies in statements made by each suspect during the subsequent interrogation.
So far, both Izumida and Oshio have denied the allegation of drug transactions between them, but prior to the arrest Oshio had expressed his "fear" to a friend. The actor received a suspended sentence for the illegal use of MDMA, but now that he has been arrested again for the transfer of drugs, in addition to the impending charges of negligence that resulted in the death of Kaori Tanaka, it is highly likely that this time Oshio will be handed a prison sentence without suspension.
Another fear that the actor may have is of retribution from the source of the drug route and a network of people who will no doubt have connections with crime syndicates. In fact, on the day of his arrest, rumors spread that Oshio’s drowned body was found.
The police source comments, though, “There is a distribution channel known for its ‘delivery service’ of drugs to the homes of entertainers. Izumida is suspected of knowing people involved in the business, and the investigation will eventually lead to several crime syndicates. There is a good possibility that we will be able to track down other drug users in the entertainment business.”
In the course of arresting the three suspects, police had already interrogated fashion models and other women acquainted with Oshio to obtain information on his drug use and whether they received any MDMA from the actor. Because of his arrest, Oshio has become the target and enemy of those involved in the illicit drug business, which also explains the "fear" he mentioned to his friend.
One source in the entertainment industry states, “So many police investigators have been knocking on the doors of women who had some kind of relationship with him, that some are concerned Oshio’s going to give out ‘inconvenient’ information. Individuals like the president of a lingerie company and top executives of a famous pachinko manufacturer who used to frequent his home and helped him out financially are obviously maintaining distance from him.”
Police have already found evidence that Oshio made bank transfers of at least 1 million yen to Izumida, and their denial of drug transactions will not hold up much longer. Police were unable to trace the source of drug supply in the case of Noriko Sakai and husband. Whether the Oshio investigation will uncover the drug route that spreads through the entertainment world remains to be seen.
© Japan Today
19 Comments
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S7ro9kGm3aQ
After the police have put the entire entertainment industry in jail, perhaps we can finally get some decent music and TV in this country...
sydenham
No sympathy for the guy.
Damien15
Shouldn't your job be trying to find the dealers?
stirfry
no there isn't...you're still only a j-cop
TumbleDry
S7ro9kGm3aQ: hahaha!
nath
The dealers are easy to find. Just hang out in Shibuya and watch.
Valmain
I don't see any logic in going after entertainers other than the J-Cops want some more big-name celebs to hang out for all to see. "Look, we're catchin' a few small-time substance users! A-hyuck!" Quick, save the pristine and pure entertainment industry!!
Honestly, Oshio? Paying for illegal substances with a bank transfer?? Way to leave a trail, genius.
biglittleman
Whaaaat? No foreign supplier excuse? Looks like reality comes to J-town for a while.
Junnama
Manabu Oshio - the dumbest guy on the face of the earth.
as_the_crow_flies
They'll just persecute all the users, while leaving the Yakuza supply chain intact. The right palms suitably greased, and the right words in the right ears will ensure that only the small fry will get netted, while the big money swims free.
dolphingirl
Valmain: I agree. I don't see any point in going after the entertainers since they'll all just get suspended sentences and then be back to business as usual. It says 'the investigation will eventually lead to crime syndicates' but will they actually do anything about it?
Dilbert14
Surely not. We are living in a country where yakuza bosses having dinner with politicians. Police is listening the same music as right wing busses play. Seems like one big gang to me.
timorborder
After the police have put the entire entertainment industry in jail, perhaps we can finally get some decent music and TV in this country...
If only it was that easy! What would the charge be? Crimes against humanity.
bicultural
Want to know who brings the drugs to Japan? The Iranians.
Richard_III
Yeah, but think about the short term consequences. Should any such celebrity be arrested, there will be wall to wall coverage of several hours a day including detailed analysis and debate, on all the channels.
2020hindsight
Haven't they got better things to do? Who cares if some entertainers get high on e every now and again? They should focus on crimes that affect other people...
sharpie
squeal like a pig, oshio. spill your guts and get a free pair of concrete shoes, great for swimming
jason6
Do something rarely done in Japan: don't squeal, man up, and do the time.
Leozelion Kinginthejungle
one is back on tracks...she is djing here and there...be careful...