SAITAMA (TR) – Saitama Prefectural Police have arrested a 65-year-old Nigerian national on suspicion of illegally dismantling used vehicles at a scrap yard in Kasukabe City, reports Nippon News Network (Oct. 15).
Afwan Williams Ienoma, the representative director of a used auto parts sales company, is accused of violating the Automobile Recycling Law, which requires operators to obtain permission from the prefectural governor before dismantling end-of-life vehicles.
According to investigative sources, Ienoma conspired with accomplices in June of this year to dismantle a used truck at the Kasukabe yard without obtaining the mandatory permit from the Saitama governor.
Police believe the dismantled vehicle parts were then packed into shipping containers and exported to Africa.
The illicit operation came to light after police conducted an on-site inspection of Ienoma’s yard in January and discovered what appeared to be parts from dismantled vehicles.
Investigators suspect that the unauthorized dismantling was carried out repeatedly since March, allowing Ienoma to rake in illegal profits through the sale and export of the salvaged parts.
Police have not disclosed whether the suspect admits to the allegations. Authorities are continuing to investigate the full scope of the scheme, including how the used vehicles were acquired.