Drug gang busted in Sagaing and Mandalay with narcotics worth over 27 billion kyats

Authorities have arrested a drug trafficking gang operating in Sagaing and Mandalay regions, seizing over 150 kilograms of heroin, more than 5 million methamphetamine pills, 412 kilograms of ice, and 3 tons of caffeine, with a total estimated value exceeding 27 billion kyats, according to sources.

A joint team of security forces searched a Fuso 12-wheeler carrying cargos from Kalewa to Kalay at the intersection of Kyi Kone Village in Kalay Township, Sagaing Region at 5 am on November 5. According to reports, 50.6 kilograms of heroin were hidden in the vehicle.

According to the investigation, Myint Naing Oo aka Maung Soe and Zaw Win Htun aka Naing Win Htun aka Nakar, who were involved in the smuggling of drugs from Mandalay to Kalay, were arrested at their home in Hton Thun Ward, Chanmyathazi Township, Mandalay Region, and Bran Moon aka Zaw Tan in Maha Myaing (1) Ward, Mahaaungmye Township, and Yan Naing in Settkyar Nwe Sin Ward, Mahaaungmye Township, respectively.

In addition, La Than Oo Ya, who received and stored the drugs in Kalay and sent them to the Myanmar-India border, was arrested in Area 10 of Tahan Ward, Kalay with 3 tons of controlled chemical caffeine illegally imported from another country, and Tuh Nae Lwe aka Pu Thauk with 5.51 million ecstasy pills, 412 kilograms of methamphetamine and 0.43 kilograms of heroin from his house in Area 13 of Tahan Ward, Kalay at 10 am on November 5.

In addition, Win Htay Aung, who sent drugs from Mandalay to Kalay, was arrested in Thin Pangone Ward, Pyigyitakun Township, and Hla Moe aka San Lwin, who received and stored the drugs Win Htay Aung sent, was arrested at a cargo terminal in Hlaing Tharyar Ward in Kalay with 13.2 kg of heroin on November 6.

In addition, according to the investigation, it was learned that the person who resold the drugs in Mandalay was Raw Kyin Yan aka Ah Kwike and the person who transferred the money for the drug trade was his wife Ma Ah Mein. They were further arrested at their home in Aung Tharyar Ward, Chanmyathazi Township.

In addition, Ye Zaw Aung aka Ah Pha, who received, stored, and distributed drugs in Mandalay under the plan of Soe Win from Kehsi Township in southern Shan State, was arrested at his home in Kan Tharyar Ward, Chanmyathazi Township with 89.8 kg of heroin, resulting in a total of 150.03 kg of heroin worth over Ks27.5 billion, 5.51 million ecstasy pills, 412 kilograms of ice (methamphetamine) and 3 tons of the controlled chemical caffeine were seized.

Investigations revealed that the seized drugs were transported from southern Shan State to Mandalay, and then stored in Kalay, where they were traded in conjunction with drug traffickers from the other country at the Myanmar-India border. Similarly, 21 members of a drug trafficking gang who illegally imported controlled chemicals from the other country were identified.

The arrested individuals have been taken into custody and the perpetrators of the crime are being investigated and further action is being taken under the Anti-Money Laundering Law to seize the financial benefits and assets they received from drug trafficking as public funds.