SAN DIEGO : 2 Japanese Arrested on Drug Charges
Two undocumented immigrants from Japan have been arrested in University City on drug-trafficking charges after a four-month investigation prompted by a request from Tokyo police and Interpol, officials said.
Ryuji Ikemi and Minoru Ukeshima, both 33, were arrested at their jobs at the Sushi Bar Kazumi restaurant on Genesee Avenue on Wednesday, accused of drug violations following the investigation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, INS Agent Patrick Comey said.
The investigation resulted from requests from Japanese police and Interpol, who were seeking Ikemi on charges of trafficking LSD and marijuana before he came to the United States as a tourist in 1990, Comey said.
Ukeshima was wanted by San Diego police on outstanding warrants charging possession of drugs and violation of probation stemming from a prostitution conviction, Comey said.
Ukeshima was ordered deported in 1990 but failed to return to Japan, Comey said. Both men will be deported to Japan, but Ukeshima will face local charges before he is returned, Comey said.
The owner of Sushi Bar Kazumi, who allegedly knew the two were undocumented aliens, may face INS fines involving immigration laws, Comey said.
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