Arakan Army officer among 24 arrested in $120 billion kyat methamphetamine seizure
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Hsu (NP News) - Nov 22
According to the State Security and Peace Commission, 24 offenders have been arrested along with narcotic drugs worth 120 billion kyat that were intended to be transported to Rakhine State and Malaysia by the AA, while two others remain at large.
Security personnel conducted a raid on the night of November 5 at the underground storage area of Warehouse 19, on the Strand Road in Hsinohpho Ward, Quarter 1, Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Region. They discovered 4,000 kilogrammes of the ICE, with an estimated market value of K120 billion, which was hidden and stored in an underground room and intended for shipment to Rakhine State and Malaysia. Khin Htun, an AA logistics officer, and La Min Khant, who was guarding the narcotics, were arrested at the scene.
According to the investigation, on November 6, additional linked suspects—Nyaing Lin, Zaw Min Htun (aka Nyi Pu), Maung Soe, Khin Win, Aung San Oo, Aung Zin Latt, Win Naing, Aung Lin, Kyaw Min Lat, Htein Min Thu, Kyaw Ko Ko Htwe, Than Htaik Oo, Win Win Htun (aka Win Htun), Aung Myo Win (aka Min Thar Gyi), Asa (aka Watote), and Dora Steven—were arrested.
Maung Nge was the first of several suspects apprehended on November 7, followed by the custody of Aung Soe Lin and Aung Ko Lin on November 8, and the arrest of Tun Tun Lin on November 9. The investigation then led authorities to a house in Tachileik belonging to the fugitive Aar Way (also known as Shauk Htan or Than Maung), who allegedly ordered the drug transport, where a search on November 11 yielded a cache of weapons, including a US-made M-4, an A-1 rifle, an Italian-made BERETTA pistol, and a US-made SIG SAUER pistol with corresponding ammunition. Separately, the operation also led to the apprehensions of two other connected suspects, namely Dora Moss and Peter Phoe in Pathein on 16 November.
In total, 24 male suspects were arrested, and authorities seized 4,000 kg of ICE (methamphetamine), one M-4 rifle, an A-1 rifle with two magazines, and two cargo vessels. The operation successfully intercepted the massive drug shipment as it was being prepared for transport. The network was reportedly instrumented by the Arakan Army (AA), whose involvement was confirmed by the arrest of Khin Htun, identified as the logistics in-charge for the AA terrorist group. While Khin Htun and his team were preparing to transport a portion of the narcotics to Rakhine State, Maung Nge and his team were simultaneously preparing the remainder of the drugs for transport to Pathein and on to Malaysia. The seizure demonstrates the AA's alleged role in managing and facilitating major international drug trafficking operations.
The State Security and Peace Commission has announced that it will take effective legal action, and that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitives and related offenders. Additionally, the Commission urged the public to confidentially report any information on drug trafficking, promising that informants and collaborators will be discreetly protected and appropriately rewarded.