CNI News

8 October 2025

Narcotic drugs worth approximately 195.85 billion kyats, belonging to the Arakan Army (AA) and destined for Rakhine State and Malaysia, were seized in Yangon, according to a statement released on October 7, 2025, by the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) Press Team.

Authorities received intelligence that narcotics from Shan State were to be transported through Yangon en route to Rakhine State and Malaysia. During the subsequent search operation, on September 24, at Hlegu Township along the Hlegu–Phaunggyi road, police intercepted a Nissan Condor truck driven by Aung Khant Kyaw and Htet Wai Phyo, seizing 1,439 kilograms of Ice (methamphetamine) worth around 35.97 billion kyats.

Based on their statements, further arrests followed. On September 25, at the “Shwe Maung” tea shop near Danyin Kone junction in Shwepyithar Township, Zaw Win Tun and San Htun Kyaw, who arranged vehicles for drug transport, were arrested. At Zaw Lin and Saw Zing Min Han’s residence in Si Pin Tha Village, Htantabin Township, police seized an additional 1,999 kilograms of Ice worth approximately 49.97 billion kyats.

Subsequently, authorities learned that narcotics were to be shipped from Thone Gwa Township, Thamma Saitta beach, to Malaysia. On September 27, at a warehouse near Thamma Saitta Village, Kyaw Naing, the warehouse owner, and several vehicle operators—Thet Paing Oo, Ye Ko, Hein Htet Soe, Htet Nay Lin, Zing Min Hlaing, and Wai Phyo Aung—were arrested with 2,198 kilograms of ketamine valued at about 109.9 billion kyats, along with a white Mitsubishi Fuso truck used for transportation.

Additionally, Soe Min Paing of Ye Okkan Village, Hlaing Tharyar Township, was arrested for involvement in the narcotics network. On September 28, at Smile World Spa in Ward 15, Hlaing Tharyar Township, Khin Maung Tuat, who stored the drugs, was also arrested. On September 29, in Phayangu Village, Twantay Township, Tint Naing Tun was taken into custody.

According to the NDSC press release, a total of 16 suspects, 4 vehicles, 3,438 kilograms of Ice, and 2,198 kilograms of ketamine—with a combined market value of 195.85 billion kyats—were seized.

The statement added that the AA engages in narcotics trafficking to fund the purchase of weapons and ammunition, which are then used to conduct terrorist operations in Rakhine State, including acts of violence, coercion, and killings against innocent civilians.