Soda smuggler apprehended
Nannaras X
October 17th YC 120
The smuggler acting as the supplier of soda products to the Itsu restaurant has been apprehended by Regiment authorities.
After cooperation from the arrested restaurant manager behind the distribution of several different brands of soda products in Itsu, the Regiment was able to find the identity of the supplier though use of security camera footage and a description. The supplier went by the business alias “Furrier King” before the Regiment apprehended him and learned his name, Thidore Pessard, a Gallentean smuggler working independently from any mainstream criminal organization.
After combing screencaps of security footage and a description of the smuggler, Officers patrolling Hoiyori kept a keen eye out for their suspect. It only took two days however for two officers to spot him while on patrol at the docks on the eastern coast of Namiyo. This dock was a cluttered scene due to the recent banning of sailing out from the east coast with the rogue drone sea monster still loose. Fishermen crowded the area and boats were secured in impractical locations due to the lack of space. One officer of this patrol managed to lock eyes with Thidore as they were walking towards each other. As soon as the officer points him out to his partner, Thidore breaks out in a sprint in the other direction.
The officers give chase and call for backup - the suspect begins damaging Zaibatsu property as he knocks over tanks of Ruk fish, kicking over a fruit stand to lose his pursuers. The chase came to an end as Thidore embarked on a docked boat and immediately gets the engines running. Thidore manages to get the ship moving before the two officers catch up to him. Aiming their rail rifle at the boat engines, the two officers discharge their weapons in an attempt to disable the boat, and succeed. Thidore then quickly puts his hands up and surrenders, just as two officers from another dock patrol arrive. Thidore was taken into custody and is currently being processed for sentencing.
Evidence against Thidore starts with the I.D found on him during his arrest; a temporary guest I.D that colony administration can distribute to non-colonists visiting Hoiyori or other facilities owned by the Zaibatsu. These I.Ds are required for a variety of purposes, whether for vacation, family visits or, in Thidore’s case, a student from the University of Callie coming to learn more about the Windchime philosophy of Wayism. Colony administrations can confirm that this I.D was fraudulent and never handed out to the name printed on it.
Moving onto the boat, the serial number attached to it linksto a boat that was decommissioned for faulty construction and was to be scrapped. However, it appears the boat was “taken care of a few days early”. Refrigerated compartments used to store items like bait or fish were reconfigured to store barrels of identical sizes as the ones found in the freezer of the Itsu restaurant. Lastly, these boats are to only start up after a valid handprint is given. Since Thidore managed to get it moving it is a clear indication that he programmed his handprint in on the boat’s computers.
It is believed based on the evidence that Thidore was smuggling soda in via boat, his pickup location is still being investigated. Either its located on one of the islands in the region of Namiyo, the Ishukone owned landmass of X-ZFA12, or it’s surrounding islands With the ban in place preventing any ships setting sail from the eastern coast, the smuggler was effectively trapped and would’ve raised suspicion if he attempted to undock.
Hoiyori colonists have voiced concern regarding the crackdown on the sale of soda products, claiming they’re “Harmless” and “Enjoyable”. Some go as far as to be critical of the Ohrion Board of Health and Wellbeing’s disapproval of junk food. To answer these concerns, Ohrion Matron Tuilina Malioka had this to say.
“It’s a romantic notion New Eden has in its head that all you need to do to ensure the health of your people is to simply supply them with expensive and advanced healthcare services This however is only half the battle as these services should only be used in the worst case scenario of someone falling ill or catching some disease. The other half is preventing them from having to use these services in the first place and the best way we can go this is making sure people are eating right and feeding their bodies valuable nutrients. Junk food like soda or candy only pollute our bodies with more chemicals than nutrients…and for what? A cheap thrill or moment of pleasure? These kind of indulgences are what give people health problems, it’s what ends up making them ill and sending them to their nearest clinic. As such, I stand by the board’s decision wholeheartedly.
- Tuilina Malioka
The Raata Zaibatsu takes immense pride in supplying it’s people with fresh, never factory made organic food products though it’s agricultural module known as the Kresh Root Society. The Society is a consortium of farmers and ranchers with ample funding from House Yaken to work day in and day out growing crops and raising livestock. The practice of genetically engineering crops or livestock is strictly forbidden by the Board of Health and Wellbeing and is thoroughly enforced by weekly testing and examination from the Ohrion Conglomerate.
ZANIE will remain vigilant for any new developments.