The Arakan Army (AA) has strongly refuted allegations made 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 were seized from a warehouse on Shin Phyu Shin Road in Ward 144 of South Dagon Township on March 6 evening. The seized items included more than 3 tons of ice (methamphetamine) and 200 kilograms of ketamine, which were allegedly being prepared for shipment to Malaysia.
The military council claimed that the drugs were being managed by Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Lin, who they identified as AA’s economic officer, and his wife Ma Thida Myint, who owns the Shwe Kaung Tha boat service. The council also reported the arrest of five individuals – Than Lwin, Weyar Aung, Than Kaung Set, Ye Yint Naing, and Hla Than Oo – along with three vehicles. The military council further alleged that the drugs were being controlled by Tin Maung Win, who resides in Pangsang, Wa Self-Administered Division, with Than Lwin acting as the transporter.
In response to these allegations, the AA issued a strong statement denying any connection to the drug seizure. The AA stated that the military council, facing military defeats, is attempting to politically discredit them. They pointed out that drug trafficking, gambling, and other criminal activities are primarily found in military council-controlled areas such as Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Mandalay. The AA also emphasized that there is evidence of military council officials’ involvement in these illegal activities.
The AA characterized the military council’s allegations as part of their typical pattern of launching political attacks when facing military setbacks. They categorically denied any involvement with drug trafficking and described the military council’s accusations as politically motivated attacks devoid of truth. The AA maintained that these allegations are merely attempts to damage their political reputation and have no basis in reality. They emphasized their clear stance against drug trafficking and other criminal activities, contrasting this with what they described as the military council’s documented involvement in various illegal enterprises.
