One of Japan’s best-known business people has resigned as CEO of beverage giant Suntory after police raided his house in an illegal drugs probe, the company and media reports said Tuesday.
Takeshi Niinami, 66, was put under police investigation following the arrest of a man in an illegal drug case in July, according to Jiji news agency.
Police searched Niinami’s house in August, but he has denied involvement, and no illegal drugs have been found.
“An investigation was conducted into supplements he purchased under the belief that they were legal,” Suntory president Nobuhiro Torii told a news conference on Tuesday.
Citing unnamed investigators, broadcaster Nippon TV said Niinami was suspected of importing products containing THC, an active ingredient in cannabis, from the United States.