The Arakan Army (AA) has strongly denied allegations made by the military council linking them to a major drug seizure in South Dagon Township, Yangon Region. According to the military council’s statement, authorities seized over 3 tons of ice (methamphetamine) and 200 kilograms of ketamine, with an estimated value of 96 billion kyats, from a warehouse on Shin Phyu Shin Road in Ward 144 of South Dagon Township on March 6 evening. The military council claims this drug operation was connected to the AA’s economic operations.
The military council reported the arrest of five individuals: Thein Lwin, Weya Aung (aka) Thar Gyi, Thant Kaung Set (aka) Paung Chain, Ye Yint Naing, and Hla Than Oo (aka) Ya Kwat, along with three vehicles. According to their statement, the drugs were being trafficked under the direction of Tin Maung Win from Pangsang City in the Wa Self-Administered Region. They also arrested Hein Si Thu (aka) Zaw Zaw Aung (aka) Aung Ko Ko (aka) Htin Linn Phyoe and Tin Hla (aka) Sa Thet, who were allegedly involved in redistributing the drugs in Yangon.
The military council claimed that Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Linn, whom they identified as AA’s economic officer, and his wife Ma Thida Myint, owned 16 passenger buses and maintained private terminals in Taunggyan, Taunggyi, Mandalay, and Yangon. However, the AA has vehemently rejected these allegations, stating that this is a political attack by the military council, which is currently facing military defeats, aimed at damaging AA’s reputation.
The AA categorically denied any involvement with narcotics and pointed out that drug trafficking, gambling, and other criminal activities are primarily found in areas under military council control, such as Naypyidaw, Yangon, Mandalay, and territories controlled by military council-affiliated militia groups. They further emphasized that there is substantial evidence showing the involvement of corrupt military council generals in gambling and drug-related activities. The AA stated that these allegations are typical of the military council’s political tactics when facing military setbacks, and reiterated that they have absolutely no connection to any drug-related activities.
