Myanmar Police intensify crackdown on drug trafficking
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Phyo (NP News) - July 28
The Myanmar Police Force is intensifying its efforts to combat drug trafficking in the country, according to recent reports detailing major drug seizures.
It is reported that a joint team of members of the Drug Control Police entered the rented house of Thein Win Htun and Htun Htun Lin (aka) Ko Htun in Gyokone East Ward, Insein Township at 6:30 pm on July 12, and searched it. Zaw Zaw Lwin was arrested with 1,875 kilograms of ice (methamphetamine) (value 46.875 billion kyats), 1.6 million ecstasy pills (value 1.6 billion kyats), and a TOYOTA DYNA vehicle.
Authorities report that such drug-related crimes are occurring daily, with armed groups increasingly involved in the narcotics trade to fund their operations.
A recent case highlights this trend. The Chin armed group announced the seizure of approximately 3 million methamphetamine pills, 110 kilograms of heroin, two backfire weapons, two mini Starlink devices, three PDF members, one driver, and one spare driver in Hakha Township. Although the relevant PDF group issued a statement claiming the situation had been resolved, many social media users criticized the explanation as unconvincing and illogical.
In another major incident, a drug trafficking ring allegedly linked to the Arakan Army (AA) was arrested in Yangon in March, with authorities seizing over 96 billion kyats worth of psychotropic drugs, according to police sources.
Additionally, on April 26, 2025, a drug gang including individuals reportedly supporting AA—was apprehended while attempting to transport drugs valued at 282.325 billion kyats to Malaysia.
Following these events, it was observed that some supporters of violence even posted comments on Facebook expressing support for the drug trafficking operation.