It has been learned that 24 individuals, including Khin Tun, the economic coordinator of the Arakan Army (AA), were arrested along with approximately 4000 kilograms of ice (methamphetamine), valued at around 120 billion kyats, which was intended for transport to Rakhine State and Malaysia.
On the evening of November 5, 2025, in the basement of warehouse No. (19) on Strand Road, Sinohpho Quarter, Ward (1), Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Region, Khin Tun, the supply coordinator for the AA, and La Min Khant, who stored narcotic drugs in Pathein, were arrested along with 4000 kilograms of Ice narcotics, valued at approximately 120 billion kyats, which were hidden and stored for transport to Rakhine State and Malaysia.
Based on the disclosures of the two arrestees, further arrests of connected suspects were made on the morning of November 6. Naing Lin was arrested at the Shwe La Min clinic on Zawgyi Road, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon Region. Zaw Min Tun (a.k.a. Nyi Pu) was arrested in Htinbonseik Village, Ward (9), Pathein Township. At the waters east of the Kaung Kaung crab farm in Ma Aing Village Tract, Kyunsu Township, Taninthayi Region, ten boat workers—Maung Soe (Helmsman), Khin Win, Aung San Oo, Aung Zin Lat, Win Naing, Aung Lin, Kyaw Min Lat, Hein Min Thu, Kyaw Ko Ko Htway, and Than Htike Oo—were arrested along with the MV Shwe Let Wa cargo ship used for transporting narcotics.
On the evening of November 6, Win Win Tun (a.k.a. Win Tun) was arrested in Ward (3), Chaungtha Town. Aung Myo Win (a.k.a. Min Thar Gyi) was arrested on Mya Pale Thwe Road, Ward (2), Chaungtha Town. Ah Sar (a.k.a. Wa Tote) was arrested in Maw Taw Kone Village, Tha Latt Kwa Village Tract, Pathein Township. Later that night, Dora Steven, who stored narcotic drugs, was arrested at the Baw Za Wati rice shop on Padauk Shwe Wah Road, Nauk Le Ward, Myeik Town.
On the afternoon of November 7, the MV Shwe Wadi cargo ship, used for transporting narcotic drugs and docked at Seikkyi Kanaungto port, was seized. That evening, at Yangon International Airport, Maung Nge, who was using the "Baw Za Wati" rice business and "Utopia Future" real estate business as fronts to arrange the transport of narcotics from Pathein to Malaysia, was arrested. On the evening of November 8, in Ward (2), Shwe Thaung Yan Town, Ayeyawady Region, on In Gyan Road, two brothers, boat workers Aung Soe Lin and Aung Ko Lin, who were involved in transporting narcotics, were arrested. On the evening of November 9, Tun Tun Lin was arrested near the Baw Za Wati rice shop on Padauk Shwe Wah Road, Nauk Le Ward, Myeik Town.
On the afternoon of November 11, a search was conducted at the residence of the fugitive suspect Ah Wai (a.k.a. Shawk Htan) (a.k.a. Than Maung), house number 9/470, Yadana Lane (8), Wan Kaung Ward, Tachileik, who had ordered the transportation of the narcotics. The search yielded one US-made M-4, A-1 rifle with two magazines and 26 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition; one Italian-made BERETTA pistol with one magazine; and one US-made SIG SAUER pistol with two magazines. On November 16, further arrests were made: Dora Moss was arrested on Department Road, Ward (1), Chaung Tha Township, and Peter Poe was arrested at the Shwe Min Thamee Hotel in Mya Kyun Thar Housing, Ward (3), Pathein. Consequently, in this case, a total of 24 male suspects, one M-4, A-1 rifle, two pistols, and two cargo ships have been seized.
According to the statements of the arrestees, Ah Wae (a.k.a. Shawk Htan) (a.k.a. Than Maung) from Tachileik and Tar Kaw (still at large) from Wan Hai Village transported narcotics produced in the Wan Hai area of Kyaythi Township, Loilem District, to Pathein using various methods. These included hiding the drugs in secret compartments specially built in six-wheel trucks and mixing them with other goods in cargo trucks to disguise them. The drugs were temporarily stored and hidden in warehouse No. (19) on Strand Road, Pathein, which is owned by Maung Nge. Maung Nge and his group were arranging transport to Malaysia, while Khin Tun, the AA's supply coordinator, and his group were arranging transport to Rakhine State when the arrests were made.
Therefore, it has been learned that legal action will continue to be taken effectively against the arrestees, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitive suspects and other connected individuals.
