Authorities in Yangon have seized over 195 billion kyats worth of narcotic drugs that had been transported from Shan State and were intended for delivery to Rakhine State and Malaysia, according to reports.

On September 24, 2025, security forces conducted inspections after learning that drugs were being transported from Shan State to Yangon for further shipment to Rakhine State and Malaysia. During the operation on Hlegu–Paunggyi Road in Hlegu Township, officers arrested Aung Khant Kyaw (driver) and Htet Wai Phyo (assistant) in a Nissan Condor truck carrying 1,439 kilograms of ice (methamphetamine) worth around 35.97 billion kyats.

Based on their statements, authorities arrested Zaw Win Tun and San Htun Kyaw—who had arranged rental vehicles for drug transport—at Shwe Maung Teashop near Danyingone Junction, Shwepyithar Township, on September 25. The same day, police also seized Zaw Lin and Saw Zin Min Han, who were storing the drugs at a house in Si Pin Thar Village, Htantabin Township, along with 1,999 kilograms of ice worth about 49.97 billion kyats.

Further investigation revealed that the drugs were to be shipped from Thonegwa Township’s Thamaseitta Beach in Rakhine State to Malaysia. Acting on this information, joint security forces raided a warehouse near Thamaseitta Village on September 27, arresting the warehouse owner Kyaw Naing and several transport workers — Thet Paing Oo, Ye Ko, Hein Htet Soe, Htet Nay Lin, Zin Min Hlaing, and Wai Phyo Aung. They seized 2,198 kilograms of ketamine, worth about 109.9 billion kyats, along with three vehicles used for smuggling — a white Mitsubishi Fuso, white Nissan Vanette, and white Hyundai Porter. Another suspect, Soe Min Paing, who had arranged the drivers, was also captured in Yae Oat Kan Village, Hlaing Tharyar Township.

On September 28, authorities arrested Khin Maung Tut, who had stored some of the drugs at Smile World Spa in Ward 15, Hlaing Tharyar Township, and on September 29, they captured Tint Naing Tun in Phayar Ngu Village, Twantay Township.

In total, 16 suspects were arrested, along with four vehicles, 3,438 kilograms of ice, 2,198 kilograms of ketamine, and narcotics worth approximately 195.85 billion kyats.

According to confessions, the drugs had been transported from Wan Hine area, Kyethi Township, Loilen District, southern Shan State, by Sai Naw Kham (aka Ko Sai), who remains at large. The shipment was moved from Yamethin to Yangon by Aung Khant Kyaw and Htet Wai Phyo. Following Sai Naw Kham’s instructions, Zaw Lin stored the drugs at his rented house in Htantabin Township’s Si Pin Thar Village, preparing for further transport to Rakhine State.

The portion destined for Malaysia was temporarily stored by Khin Maung Tut in Hlaing Tharyar Township before being transferred to Kyaw Naing’s warehouse in Thamaseitta Village, Thonegwa Township, a coastal area. According to Kyaw Naing’s statement, the drugs found in the warehouse were intended for sea shipment to Malaysia, organized by AA group economic officers Ye Zaw and Chit Min, who are still at large.

Authorities stated that all detained suspects will face prosecution under existing laws and that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining fugitives and dismantle the entire trafficking network.