The vice chairman of the town council in Aizumi-cho, Tokushima Prefecture was arrested on suspicion of aggravated bribery, etc., saying that he received cash in return for leaking information on drug cases being investigated by the Osaka Prefectural Police and others to a smuggling group.

Arrested were Kenji Hiraishi (45), a member of the town council in Aizumi-cho, Tokushima Prefecture, who serves as vice chairman, and Sayaka Abe (39), an acquaintance and former part-time employee of the town.



According to the police, in October last year, they used their position to obtain information on a cannabis control law violation case being investigated by the Osaka Prefectural Police and others from the town hall, and in return for leaking it to a cannabis trafficking group, they received 5 cash. He is suspected of aggravated bribery and violation of the Local Public Service Law for receiving 10,000 yen.



In addition, on suspicion of bribery, one of the smuggling groups and an acquaintance of Deputy Chairman Hiraishi, Kim Taishi (52), was also arrested.



The deputy chairman is believed to have heard from a former employee who was in charge of sorting mail about inquiries about the investigation sent to the town hall by mail in September last year at the request of Kim. I'm here.



The police are investigating how Vice Chairman Hiraishi deepened his relationship with the smuggling group.



The identities of the three have not been disclosed.

“If it is true, it is absolutely unacceptable.” Mayor Aizumi

Following the arrest of the deputy chairman and a former employee, the mayor and chairman of Aizumi Town, Tokushima Prefecture, met at the town hall.



In this, Mayor Hideo Takahashi said, "I deeply apologize for causing concern to the townspeople and everyone involved. If the content of the incident is true, it should never be forgiven, and it is extremely regrettable. Early clarification of the incident. We will fully cooperate with the police investigation so that this can be done, and we will take this matter seriously and work to restore trust."



Yoshio Nishikawa, chairman of the town council, said, "It is extremely regrettable that the vice chairman, who should serve as a role model for other members of the assembly, was arrested. We will fully cooperate with the police investigation so that the case can be clarified as soon as possible. I will.”