THE Government has also taken the fight against telecom fraud and online gambling as a national duty and is actively carrying out suppression efforts in coordination not only with domestic forces but also with the governments of neighbouring countries, in order to prevent such crimes from establishing any foothold within Myanmar.
The information was released on 5 February 2025 on arresting foreign nationals engaged in telecom fraud and online gambling in Mongha area of Mongyai Township in Shan State (North) and seizures of related accessories used in online scams and gambling activities. On 27 November 2025, one more news story mentioned that foreign nationals carrying out telecom fraud and online gambling near Mongnawng of Kehsi Township in Shan State (South) were arrested along with seizures of related accessories, arms and ammunition. Moreover, the information about arresting those who conducted the telecom fraud and online gambling and seizures of related accessories near Taunghteik Village in Kyaukme Township of Shan State (North) was released on 1 December 2025.
On the evening of 8 January, a Tatmadaw column taking security measures in Namlan region of Hsipaw Township in Shan State (North) clashed with terrorists who took positions, some 10,000 metres northwest of Nalin. The terrorists opened fire with small arms but they withdrew in disarray. The Tatmadaw column seized five tents, trenches, two mines and related accessories, and one gate guard post.
The Tatmadaw column continued pursuit operations against the terrorists who had retreated. At about 1:30 pm on 9 January, the Tatmadaw column seized 18 laptops, 35 desktop computers, 11 mobile phones and five Star Link devices from two 40 by 30 feet buildings used in telecom fraud and online gambling activities, at the site 9,000 metres northwest of Nalin Village, Hsipaw Township.
In combing the area at 4:45 pm, the Tatmadaw column further seized 11 laptops, six desktop computers, three Star Link devices, two tablet-making machines, one drug stirring machine, one tablet counter, two kilogrammes of ICE, 10 kilogramme-bucket of drug solution, one glass tube, one 10-litre container of drug solution, 25 kilogrammes of Caustic soda, 30 containers comprising 25 kilogrammes each of sodium powder, one vehicle, two generators, one backhoe, one set of green uniform with SSA badge, one set of two-star rank position, one hat with SSA badge, buildings and related accessories.
According to the above-mentioned events, aerial reconnaissance and ground intelligence operations were continuously conducted. As a result, three suspicious locations were discovered in Mongyai Township, and security operations were carried out in the area by Tatmadaw columns, including joint forces responsible for local security. At 1:30 pm on 10 January, they seized 14 tents, six 100 feet by 25 feet buildings, 120 empty plastic barrels, 20 iron barrels containing chemical solution, 30 empty iron barrels, 60 gas cylinders, four steel steam pots, two large engines, 67 plastic acid barrels, and related accessories used in drug refining near Manphyat Village, 26,000 metres southwest of Mongyai.
At 7:30 am on 11 January, the Tatmadaw column arrested six suspects related to SSA group along with many SSA-badge uniforms and seized 50 15 feet by 20 feet buildings used in drug refining activities, 15 destroyed buildings, 600 gas cylinders, 10 refrigerators, three generators, three large steam pots, three tablet machines, 500 chemical solution barrels, 300 polyethylene bags of white powder assumed as drug powder, 300 plastic bags, 300 five-gallon acid containers, six steel trays, 30 cartons of white powder under scrutiny, 300 packets of white powder under scrutiny in polyethylene bag, and five motorcycles at the second site, some 20,000 metres southwest of Mongyai.
Furthermore, they also cleared seven sites assumed as the drug refining activites, some 19,000 metres southwest of the second place. So, they confiscated a tent of refining drugs and 33 warehouses. Up to now, they seized 443 gas cylinders, 1,312 fibre barrels, 336 iron barrels, two three-wheeled motorcycles, 85 bags of casutic soda, four bags each of Sodium Acetate Trihydrate 20 kg in four barrels, 21 barrels of Sulphonic Acid Liquid, eight tender barrels, five brown barrels under scrutiny, 525 glass pots, 10 glass steam pots, 40 ethnol barrels, 150 steel bowls with white cream, trays and related accessories at the site, some 19,000 metres southwest of the above area at about 9:30 am. The remaining items are under scrutiny.
It is reported that the seized materials and equipment used in drug processing were subjected to necessary preliminary examinations by a combined team that included experts. Initial findings revealed the production of heroin and methamphetamine. Further detailed investigations will continue, and the substances will be systematically handed over to the relevant departments and destroyed by burning in accordance with procedures. Those involved will also be thoroughly identified and effectively prosecuted. — MNA/ TTA
