Tatmadaw (defence services) will decisively fight against narcotic drugs, the main income source for the ethnic armed groups. The ethnic armed groups mainly rely on narcotic drugs, the major business of theirs. The values of the seizure of narcotic drugs are very huge, said Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi, Vice-Chairman of Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

The remarks came from the press conference held at Defence Services Museum in Nay Pyi Taw on September 28.

“When reviewing the acts of the ethnic armed groups, it was found that they committed terrorist acts and gave troubles to the people. They failed to carry out the tasks effectively during the meetings. They rely on narcotic drugs as it is a main source of income. When reviewing the value of the seizures of narcotic drugs, it can be clearly that narcotic drugs are the main income source of theirs. In this situation, Tatmadaw will have to monitor whether they want peace or not and what they would do next. They are the main factor. We will fight against narcotic drugs in an effective manner,” said Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi.

Narcotic drugs including heroine and stimulant tablets worth of more than K 310 million were seized in the area of Northern Command, more than 140 million in the area of North-East Command K 16.6 billion in the area of Eastern Command and K 3.45 billion in Triangle Region Command during August and September in 2019, said Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi.

 Stimulant tablets worth of more than K 2.5 billion were seized in Yangon, more than K 1 billion in the area of Western Command K 110 million in Mandalay, said Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi.

“The value of seizures of narcotic drugs and related materials is worth of more than K 23 billion within one month. From January 1 to September 15 in 2019, the total value of seizures of narcotic drugs is worth of more than K 280 billion. According to the statements of the arrested persons in the drug seizures, it is linked to ethnic armed groups in any way,” said Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi. 

Translated and Edited by Win Htut