Japanese police raided the residences of six Chongryon’ members Thursday, including the home of its chairman Ho Jong Man.

Japanese police said the trading company Toho, based in Tokyo and owned by South Korean Lee Dong-cheol, has been smuggling North Korean pine mushrooms and that Chongryon is connected to this operation.

Toho is alleged to have imported 1,200kg of North Korean mushrooms, valued at approximately $25,000, through Shanghai and the Kansai airport in Japan, labeling them Chinese goods.

Importing North Korean products has been illegal in Japan since October 2006 due to sanctions stemming from the North Korean nuclear test