The former commander of the Northeast Military Command (NMC), Major General Myint Kyaw Htun, who was arrested in Tanyaung, northern Shan State, for involvement with Chinese scam networks, has been found to be connected to drug and weapons trafficking operations. As a result, the military council has seized and shut down the Pyigyimyan San bus line and its vehicles associated with him, according to military sources.
Following the MNDAA’s capture of the regional command headquarters, the military council arrested five top military officers in February, including former NMC commander Major General Myint Kyaw Htun and Chief of Staff Colonel Htun Naing Soe, for accepting money from Chinese scam networks. After investigation, Colonel Htun Naing Soe was released due to being a nephew of military council secretary General Aung Lin Dwe. Further investigation revealed that former commander Major General Myint Kyaw Htun and Tanyaung Township Administration Chairman Major Nay Lin were involved in drug and weapons trafficking operations.
The new NMC commander, Brigadier General Aye Min Oo, subsequently ordered the seizure of all Pyigyimyan San bus line operations and vehicles. However, Township Administration Chairman Major Nay Lin escaped punishment due to his friendship with the new Tanyaung strategic commander, as they were from the same military academy class. Currently, other bus lines such as Shwe La Shaung and Moe Htet Akha continue to operate in Tanyaung. Military sources indicate that bus lines based in Tanyaung are involved in various illegal activities including drug and weapons trafficking with military backing.
The military council had previously announced the arrest of 18 Chinese nationals and 27 Myanmar citizens involved in online scam operations in Tanyaung Township on December 5, 2024, along with related equipment and weapons. On February 10, 2025, they also arrested 21 Chinese nationals in the Mineha area of Mineye Township for illegal online gambling and scam operations. These arrests highlight the ongoing issues with illegal operations in the region, which have now been connected to high-ranking military officials and transportation networks.
