Osaka police arrest man accused of supplying drugs to youths, find over 5,000 pills at home
OSAKA -- A man suspected of illicitly dealing prescription drugs to young people in a corner of Osaka's Minami district known as a hangout for youths
In Osaka's Minami district, notorious for its youthful crowd, a 40-year-old unemployed man has been arrested for allegedly supplying prescription drugs to young people. The area, known colloquially as "Gurishita," is a frequent hangout for youths. Police found over 5,000 pills at the suspect's home during their raid. The defendant, who was known locally as the "Gurishita drug seller," claimed he distributed the pills with the intention of helping troubled youths, likening his situation to the young people he interacted with.
He was indicted on suspicion of violating an Osaka prefectural ordinance on the protection of youths and the pharmaceuticals and medical devices law for allegedly giving prescription drugs with sleep-inducing and psychotropic effects to two girls he met in Gurishita. The girls, found unconscious on a train, were taken into protective custody.
The suspect, who had been receiving welfare benefits and had been prescribed around 20,000 pills since February 2024, began frequenting Gurishita around May 2025. He told police that the struggles of young people in complex family circumstances had drawn him to the area. The drug situation in Gurishita is widespread, with multiple individuals reportedly distributing pharmaceuticals.
The situation has become serious, leading the national government to tighten regulations on the purchase of over-the-counter drugs at drugstores, including limiting purchases for those under 18. Police and drugstores in Osaka Prefecture have also conducted awareness events to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
