More than K663 billion worth of illegal goods have been seized in Myanmar between January 2022 and June 2025, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Vice Senior General Soe Win.

He revealed the figures during a coordination meeting (3/2025) of the Anti-Illegal Trade Steering Committee, held on July 30 at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw. Speaking in his capacity as the committee's chairman, Vice Senior General Soe Win noted that a total of 25,231 illegal trade cases had been recorded during the three-and-a-half-year period.

He emphasized that the value of the seized goods, estimated at K663.919 billion, was successfully recovered as national revenue. The increasing number of successful seizures was attributed to the efforts and dedication of responsible officials and enforcement teams, whose performance he commended.

However, he also acknowledged the presence of disloyal personnel who, driven by self-interest, have been involved in unethical practices linked to illegal trade. He stressed the need to identify and take action against such individuals, ensuring that accountability is upheld within the system.

The Vice Chairman underscored the importance of integrity and responsibility in combating illegal trade, pledging continued efforts to root out corruption while recognizing the contributions of those working with honesty and diligence.

With regard to seizures in Myanmar, the Vice-Senior General noted that the Yangon Region Illegal Trade Eradicating Task Force stood first for the seizure of smuggled and illegal commodities in May and June, followed by the Shan State and Sagaing Region. Among them, he continued that unregistered vehicles and vessels carrying illegal commodities were seized as the most enormous volume, followed by raw materials and capital goods.

He added that the staff for supervision must be qualified in their respective fields and should use modern tools rather than their eyes in inspecting the construction materials and other goods entered officially, to determine whether they meet the standards and quality set by the relevant ministries.

In July, based on the reports made to the leading committee, it was discovered that 144 vehicles carrying illegal goods from the Myawady border were attempting to unlawfully pass through Hpa-an to Yangon during the night. Therefore, the relevant task forces and OSS staff blocked the road and arrested 132 vehicles in  Kayin and Mon States.

On 17 July, the Nyaung Khar Shay inspection camp was successfully opened in Waw township of Bago Region. Four trucks and a small vehicle can be scrutinized at the same time in the import inspection site, while two trucks and two small vehicles at the same time in the export inspection site. Such action can reduce the duration of the heavy traffic and inspection section.

The meeting was attended by Union Ministers U Win Shein, Lt. Gen. Tun Tun Naung, U Tun On, Deputy Ministers, Chairman of the Tax Appeals Board U Myint Oo, Nay Pyi Taw Council members, permanent secretaries, directors-general, chairmen and officials of associations, and chairmen of the special teams for combating illegal trade of regions and states attended via video conference.