AA affiliated drug gang arrested with K 282B ICE on road to Malaysia
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Phyo (NP News) - May 17
A drug gang including some Arakan Army (AA) support members was arrested with drugs worth Ks282.325 billion that were to be transported to Malaysia.
Based on reports from local residents who do not want drug trafficking and terrorist activities, on April 26, 2025, Thein Zaw (43), Thet Oo (56), Aung Myint (51), and Thein Zaw (56) were arrested on board the boat "Armarn Thit" about 60 nautical miles southwest of Pyapon, Ayeyarwady Region, along with ICE (618) kilograms in 31 plastic bags.
According to the statements of those arrested, on April 27, San Lwin (65), Sa Sein Ngwe Thein (54), Khant Zin Thant (38), Phyo Thu Win (24), Okkar Min Maung (20), Aung Thu Htike (31), Thet Paing Oo (22), Min Khant Kyaw (20), Zaw Lin (22), Kyaw Thu Naing (35), Ko Aung Thu (34), and U Tin Htay (65) were arrested on a cargo ship about 180 nautical miles west of Kawthaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, with 220 bags of ICE (3,475 kilograms) and 2,000 kilograms of ketamine. Chit San (44), who was transporting the drugs, was arrested at Aung Tharaphu KTV in Pyapon.
According to the statements of those arrested, on the evening of April 27, Nay Paing Lin (aka) Aung Naing Kywe (34), a supporter of the AA group involved in drug trafficking, along with other suspects Kyaw Min Than (aka) Maung Lone (36), Aung Moe Win (aka) Win Khaing (45), and Pyae Sone (aka) Nwar Gyi (35), were arrested at FMI Housing, House No. (O-116), Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon Region, according to a report by the State Administration Council (SAC).
In addition, on the morning of May 1, the AA group's support members, Paing Paing Htwe (aka) Aung Naing Htwe (aka) Aung Naing Thu (aka) Paing Paing) (26), Naw Naw (24), and Ko Ko Oo (58), who were involved in transporting and selling drugs with Nay Paing Lin (aka) Aung Naing Kywe), were arrested in Pyay Township, Bago Region, and on the evening of May 6, Kaung Myat Thu (25) was arrested in Hlegu Township, Yangon Region, as a follower.
According to the statements of those arrested, on the evening of May 11, Nay Myint Htun (aka) Pyae Sone (aka) Lu Gyi (41), deputy support officer of the AA group, was arrested at House No. (201B), Aung Tha Pyay Road, Pearl Myo Thit, Mingalardon Township, Yangon Region, with 1,000 kilograms of ketamine hidden in 32 plastic bags.
In the above incident, 26 drug traffickers were arrested along with 4,093 kilograms of ICE (25 million kyats per kilogram), 3,000 kilograms of ketamine (60 million kyats per kilogram), and an estimated value of 282.325 billion kyats.
According to the statement given by the arrested suspect Nay Paing Lin (aka) Aung Naing Kywe, the AA group has been widely engaging in drug trafficking in order to secure the financial resources necessary to sustain its operations and to procure weapons and ammunition. The drugs seized in the recent arrest were reportedly purchased from Ko Saing (ak) Tayote (aka) Saing Aung Lu, the remaining suspect, who resides in Wam Hine Village, Kwyethi Township, Loilem District, Southern Shan State. The drugs were intended to be transported and sold to Malaysia, according to the statement released by the SAC.
Efforts will continue to be made to effectively take legal action against those arrested, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest related suspects, including the two remaining suspects.