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Three Richmond men charged with Japanese Yakuza cartel links

A three-year, international investigation led to the arrest and charging of Chun Yu Luk, Shuai Yuan and Ya Bobo Chen

Three people with Richmond addresses have been arrested and charged with being part of a Japanese Yakuza cartel and China-linked organized crime operation.

During a three-year investigation, the BC RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) team dismantled a B.C.-based international organized crime network, which led to the three Richmond residents being charged with multiple drug and firearm offences.

Chun Yu Luk, Shuai Yuan and Ya Bobo Chen are alleged to have a criminal associate in Japan, who has confirmed ties to the infamous Japanese Yakuza transnational organized crime syndicate.

According to police, following an initial 12 kg methamphetamine shipment to Japan – in protein powder containers - the BC-based organized crime group shipped a seven kg load of the same drug to a second criminal associate of Chinese descent in Tokyo.

That sparked a coordinated series of warrant executions and enforcement action with agencies across Japan and Canada.

And with the help of the Japan Nara Prefectural Police, the Yakuza-linked Japanese national was arrested and charged with drug importation offences; after which, the Tokyo-based suspect of Chinese nationality attempted to depart from Japan to Hong Kong through the Haneda Airport.

However, he too was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on drug importation charges.

Richmond residence raided during police investigation

In June of 2020, the RCMP’s FSOC then executed a search warrant on a Richmond residence associated to Luk, Yuan, and Chen and seized a variety of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and MDMA.

Police also seized approximately $100,000 of U.S. and Canadian currency, in addition to a prohibited firearm, two Tasers and a replica handgun.

The search also uncovered a radio jamming device, in addition to 15 electronic devices that included multiple mobile phones, a laptop computer and electronic storage devices.

“As a major international law enforcement agency with a vast network of domestic and international partnerships, BC RCMP Federal Policing and its partners work together to protect Canadians, and the international community by rapidly and decisively responding to the most serious threats posed by transnational organized crime groups anywhere in the world,” said the RCMP’s Supt. Richard Bergevin, who headed up the investigation.

Luk, Yuan and Chen have been charged with multiple counts of drug related offences in addition to numerous firearm offences.