The Arakan Army (AA) has strongly denied allegations by the military council linking them to a major drug seizure in Yangon’s South Dagon Township. According to the military council’s statement, drugs worth over 96 billion kyats, including more than 3 tons of ice (methamphetamine) and 200 kilograms of ketamine, were seized from a warehouse on Shin Phyu Shin Road in Ward 144 of South Dagon Township on the evening of March 6.
The military council claimed that the seized drugs were being managed by alleged AA economic officer Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Lin and his wife Ma Thida Myint, who owns the Shwe Kaung Tha ferry boat, and were being prepared for shipment to Malaysia. The statement also detailed the arrest of five individuals – Than Lwin, Weyar Aung (aka) Thar Gyi, Thant Kaung Set (aka) Paung Chain, Ye Yint Naing, and Hla Than Oo (aka) Ya Kwat – along with three vehicles.
The military council further alleged that the drugs were transported under the direction of Tin Maung Win from Pangsang city in the Wa Self-Administered Region, with Than Lwin acting as the courier. They also reported the arrest of alleged Yangon-based dealers Hein Si Thu (aka) Zaw Zaw Aung (aka) Aung Ko Ko (aka) Htin Lin Phyo and Tin Hla (aka) Sa Thet. Additionally, Kyaw Kyaw Thein (aka) Kyaw Kyaw (aka) A Thay Lay, the person responsible for transporting goods via the Shwe Kaung Tha ferry to Malaysian waters, Min Min Soe, was arrested in Loilen, along with several other associated individuals.
However, the AA categorically denied any involvement with drug-related activities. They stated that the military council, which is suffering military defeats, is attempting to politically discredit the AA. The AA pointed out that drug trafficking, gambling, and other criminal activities are most prevalent in areas under military council control, such as Naypyidaw, Yangon, Mandalay, and regions controlled by military-affiliated people’s militia forces. The AA emphasized that these allegations are part of the military council’s typical pattern of making political attacks when they face military setbacks.
