A major drug seizure in Yangon’s South Dagon Township worth over 96 billion kyats has sparked a heated exchange between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA), with the council claiming AA involvement and the ethnic armed group strongly denying any connection. According to the military council’s statement, authorities seized over 3 tons of ice (methamphetamine) and 200 kilograms of ketamine from a warehouse on Shin Phyu Shin Road in Ward 144 of South Dagon Township on March 6 evening.
The military council alleged that the seized drugs were managed by Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Lin, who they claimed was AA’s economic officer, and his wife Ma Thida Myint, who owns the Shwe Kaung Tha ferry business. They were allegedly preparing to ship the drugs to Malaysia. The council also reported arresting five individuals – Than Lwin, Weyar Aung, Than Kaung Set, Ye Yint Naing, and Hla Than Oo – along with three vehicles. The drugs were reportedly transported under the direction of Tin Maung Win from the Wa Self-Administered Division’s Pangsang city.
The AA strongly rejected the military council’s allegations, issuing a statement that characterized the accusations as a politically motivated attack aimed at damaging AA’s reputation at a time when the military council is suffering battlefield losses. The AA pointed out that drug trafficking and gambling operations are primarily found in areas under military council control, such as Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Mandalay, as well as in territories controlled by military-affiliated people’s militia groups.
The AA categorically denied any involvement with narcotics and highlighted the military council’s pattern of launching political attacks whenever they face military setbacks. They also asserted that there is evidence of corrupt military council officials being involved in drug trafficking and gambling operations. The AA emphasized that this latest accusation is part of the military council’s typical strategy of attempting to discredit their opponents when facing difficulties on the battlefield.
