NUG denies involvement in drugs; subordinate groups defy policy
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Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - February 3
Although the NUG boasts that it is not involved in drugs, its subordinate groups do not follow policy, and some organizations are engaged in drug cultivation, production, and trafficking for their own survival, according to residents.
Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, who claims to be a minister from NUG, said that the group did not raise funds through drugs during a ceremony to burn drugs seized from vehicles passing through territory controlled by the group.
"No matter how hard it is to raise funds for the revolution, we will not work with drugs. We are a pure revolution," said Dr. Zaw Wai Soe.
However, on the ground, some NUG-affiliated PDF (People Defense Force), PAF (People Administration Force), and PLF (People Liberation Force) organizations are involved in marijuana cultivation and drug trafficking in the region, according to a local.
"There is drug use and trafficking, especially in densely populated areas like oil fields. But it is not widespread in the villages. I think it is being sent to Rakhine. As for groups related to NUG, there will be some businesses in some places, such as ethnic areas, where it is being sent to Rakhine," he told The Statesman Journal.
He also said that some key figures in the armed groups under the NUG are using drug trafficking to obtain the necessary funds for their long-term survival.
“Not everyone can do it. Only important people in their organizations can do it. On this side, they will allocate funds to support themselves with their own terms. They will collect extort money. They will stand by like that. They cannot control anyone. That is how it is,” said the above-mentioned local.
According to the latest reports from December 2025, NUG-affiliated groups in Sagaing Region, Myinmu and Aryataw Townships, have been cultivating nearly 100 acres of marijuana for the past four years and making money from selling it.
In addition, on July 8, with the support of the 15th Battalion of Yinmabin District, Sagaing Region, the CDF (Hakha) team arrested three PDFs from the 14th Battalion of Yinmabin District and the 10th Battalion of Pakokku District Military Region, with approximately three million methamphetamine pills and 110 kilograms of heroin.
The local said that currently, the NUG's subordinate organizations are using the NUG name, but in reality, they are not under the control of the center and are operating on their own.
"They are not under their control at all. They are there in the name of their organization. They are standing in their own way. The administration and authority from above are definitely not affected at all," the above resident said. –
zawgyi version
NUG denies involvement in drugs; subordinate groups defy policy
Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - February 3
Although the NUG boasts that it is not involved in drugs, its subordinate groups do not follow policy, and some organizations are engaged in drug cultivation, production, and trafficking for their own survival, according to residents.
Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, who claims to be a minister from NUG, said that the group did not raise funds through drugs during a ceremony to burn drugs seized from vehicles passing through territory controlled by the group.
"No matter how hard it is to raise funds for the revolution, we will not work with drugs. We are a pure revolution," said Dr. Zaw Wai Soe.
However, on the ground, some NUG-affiliated PDF (People Defense Force), PAF (People Administration Force), and PLF (People Liberation Force) organizations are involved in marijuana cultivation and drug trafficking in the region, according to a local.
"There is drug use and trafficking, especially in densely populated areas like oil fields. But it is not widespread in the villages. I think it is being sent to Rakhine. As for groups related to NUG, there will be some businesses in some places, such as ethnic areas, where it is being sent to Rakhine," he told The Statesman Journal.
He also said that some key figures in the armed groups under the NUG are using drug trafficking to obtain the necessary funds for their long-term survival.
“Not everyone can do it. Only important people in their organizations can do it. On this side, they will allocate funds to support themselves with their own terms. They will collect extort money. They will stand by like that. They cannot control anyone. That is how it is,” said the above-mentioned local.
According to the latest reports from December 2025, NUG-affiliated groups in Sagaing Region, Myinmu and Aryataw Townships, have been cultivating nearly 100 acres of marijuana for the past four years and making money from selling it.
In addition, on July 8, with the support of the 15th Battalion of Yinmabin District, Sagaing Region, the CDF (Hakha) team arrested three PDFs from the 14th Battalion of Yinmabin District and the 10th Battalion of Pakokku District Military Region, with approximately three million methamphetamine pills and 110 kilograms of heroin.
The local said that currently, the NUG's subordinate organizations are using the NUG name, but in reality, they are not under the control of the center and are operating on their own.
"They are not under their control at all. They are there in the name of their organization. They are standing in their own way. The administration and authority from above are definitely not affected at all," the above resident said. –
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