Philippine authorities arrest a Japanese national wanted by Japan for theft-related offenses and suspected by Tokyo investigators to hold a senior role in a crime ring known to use the moniker “Luffy.” According to sources cited by Kyodo News and reported by multiple outlets, the suspect, Hideharu Inoue, 56, is detained in Manila on Tuesday at a rented condominium in the Makati business district. The arrest follows intelligence confirmation of his identity by Philippine officials, including immigration officers and police operatives involved in the operation.
The reports say Inoue is wanted under a Japanese arrest warrant issued in January and is additionally suspected in connection with robberies carried out in Japan by members of the group. Authorities also state that he is found carrying fake Philippine government-issued identification cards that bear a fictitious name.
The outlets describe Inoue’s detention as a result of coordination between Philippine investigators and information from Tokyo, but do not include details on charges in the Philippines or the next steps in the extradition process.
