Police in Osaka seize guns, dynamite from local gangster

Local police in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, have seized at least seven pistols and 21 sticks of dynamite from a storage room in an apartment complex rented out by a gang based in the area, local press reported on Friday. A criminal investigation team dispatched by the prefectural police found the stockpile of guns and explosives in one of the 32 storage rooms which are privately rented out in Ikuno Ward, southern Osaka City. This was the result of a search operation carried out until Thursday, according to the latest from the daily Yomiuri Shimbun. The report said the police team has also discovered about 500 bullets along with the arms and has arrested four alleged members and quasi-members of the organized crime group in connection with their concealment. The report cited police officials as saying that the storage room, located on the ground floor of the residential building, has been routinely used by gangsters to keep weapons and gunpowder, and that the police will continue to further investigate crimes committed by the group.