Chinese police have arrested a Japanese man who allegedly led a group of Japanese and Chinese robbers responsible for stealing about 600 million yen in Japan, on suspicion of smuggling stimulants, Japanese police sources said Monday.

Teruo Takeda, 61, was placed on an international wanted list by five prefectural police departments. His group, consisting of more than 30 Japanese and Chinese members, is said to be responsible for more than 15 cases since 2002 in nine prefectures, including Tokyo, Aichi and Fukuoka.

Some 20 of the members are already in police custody, the sources said. Takeda has been wanted for a 2002 robbery and assault in Nagoya.

He was arrested last month at a hotel in Guangdong Province for allegedly possessing about 3 kg of stimulants, Chinese newspapers reported.