THE Government of Myanmar has designated the effective prevention, control, and elimination of drug trafficking and trading, which pose a serious threat to humanity, including future generations, as a national responsibility, and has been intensifying its efforts in this regard.
According to reports, the AA terrorist group was found to be involved in the attempted transportation of 3,438 kilogrammes of Ice and 2,198 kilogrammes of ketamine, with an estimated total value of K195.85 billion, intended for delivery to Rakhine State and Malaysia. These narcotics were successfully seized by the authorities.
The Government of Myanmar has been intensifying inspection and seizure operations along routes commonly used for drug trafficking. At the same time, joint anti-narcotics operations are being carried out in cooperation with neighbouring countries.
As a result of these efforts, drug traffickers have increasingly begun to exploit maritime routes, taking advantage of sea transport as an alternative to land routes.
It has also been reported that the AA terrorist group has been engaged in drug trafficking, using the proceeds from these illegal activities to purchase arms and ammunition for conducting terrorist operations in Rakhine State. The group has reportedly been committing acts of violence and oppression against innocent civilians.
According to information provided by residents who oppose drug trafficking and acts of terrorism, authorities learned that narcotic drugs from Shan State were to be transported via Yangon to Rakhine State and Malaysia on 24 September 2025.
Acting on this intelligence, security forces carried out interception and search operations. During the operation on the Hlegu–Hpaunggyi Road in Hlegu Township, they arrested Aung Khant Kyaw and Htet Wai Phyo, who were driving a Nissan Condor truck. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 1,439 kilogrammes of Ice valued at approximately K35.97 billion.
Based on the statements of the two detainees, security forces conducted further operations on 25 September. They arrested Zaw Win Tun and San Htun Kyaw at the Shwe Maung teashop near Danyingon Junction in Shwepyitha Township, who had allegedly rented and arranged vehicles for drug transportation.
In addition, at a residence in Sipinthar Village, Htantabin Township, authorities arrested Zaw Lin and Saw Zin Min Han, who had stored and concealed the narcotic drugs. From their possession, 1,999 kilogrammes of Ice worth approximately K49.97 billion were seized.
According to the statements of the arrested offenders, the narcotic drugs were intended to be transported from Thonekhwa Township’s Thamaseitta Beach to Malaysia. Acting on this information, a combined security team carried out follow-up operations to apprehend those involved.
On 27 September, the team raided a warehouse near Thamaseitta Village and arrested Kyaw Naing, the warehouse owner, along with six individuals — Thet Paing Oo, Ye Ko, Hine Htet Soe, Htet Nay Lin, Zing Min Hlaing, and Wai Phyo Aung, who were reportedly drivers and assistants responsible for transporting the narcotics. Authorities seized 2,198 kilogrammes of ketamine, worth approximately K109.9 billion, together with three vehicles used in the trafficking — a white Mitsubishi Fuso, a white Nissan Vanette, and a white Hyundai Porter.
Additionally, in Yay-okkan Village, Hlinethaya Township, Soe Min Paing, who was allegedly responsible for connecting the drug couriers, was also arrested.
Following further leads, on 28 September, security forces arrested Khin Maung Tut, who had been storing the narcotics, at the Smile World Spa in Ward 15, Hlinethaya Township. On 29 September, Tint Naing Tun was also apprehended in Phaya Ngu Village, Twantay Township.
In total, the operation resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals, the seizure of four vehicles, and the confiscation of 3,438 kilogrammes of Ice and 2,198 kilogrammes of ketamine, with an estimated total value of K195.85 billion.
According to the statements of the arrested offenders, Sai Naw Kham (a) Ko Sai (still at large), a resident of Kawleek, had transported narcotic drugs from Wan Hai area, Kyethi Township, Loilen District, Shan State (South), to Yamethin. From there, Aung Khant Kyaw and Htet Wai Phyo continued transporting the drugs from Yamethin to Yangon.
It was further learnt that, under the instruction of Sai Naw Kham (still at large), the narcotic drugs intended for transportation to Rakhine State were stored in a house rented by Zaw Lin in Sipintha Village, Thanatpin Township, where he was subsequently arrested.
As for the narcotic drugs destined for Malaysia, Khin Maung Tut had temporarily stored them in Hlinethaya Township before they were moved to a warehouse owned by Kyaw Naing in Thamaseitta Village, Thonekhwa Township, a coastal area.
Based on the statement of Kyaw Naing, it was revealed that the narcotic drugs seized from the warehouse had been arranged for maritime transport to Malaysia by Ye Zaw and Chit Min (both still at large), who are economic officers of the AA terrorist group. They were reportedly planning to continue shipping the drugs by sea when the arrest took place.
It has been announced that effective legal action will continue to be taken against those arrested along with the narcotic drugs, in accordance with the law. Efforts are also ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining fugitives and other individuals involved in the criminal network.
The public is urged to confidentially report any information related to drug trafficking to the relevant authorities, and it is further stated that informants and those who assist in the arrests will be kept confidential and will be duly rewarded for their cooperation. — MNA/ MKKS
