24 people, including AA business manager, arrested with 4,000 kilograms of ICE worth about 120 billion kyats, destined for Rakhine State and Malaysia

Photo: Eleven Media Group

Twenty-four people, including Arakan Army (AA) business manager Khin Htun, have been arrested with 4,000 kilograms of ICE narcotics valued at approximately 120 billion kyats, allegedly intended for shipment to Rakhine Stateand Malaysia.

The operation began in Pathein on 5 November, when police discovered the drugs hidden in an underground storage room at Warehouse No. 9. Two suspects, including AA officer Khin Htun, were taken into custody. Information obtained from the initial arrests led to follow-up operations across Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Shan State, and other areas.

Those arrested include drug-transport coordinators, warehouse handlers, and crew members from the MV Shwe Letwarand MV Shwe Waddy cargo vessels. The man accused of arranging the shipments from Pathein to Malaysia, known as Maung Nge, was apprehended at Yangon International Airport.

According to authorities, the network transported the drugs from the Wa region using modified vehicles before storing them temporarily at the Pathein warehouse. The shipments were reportedly intended for Malaysia and Rakhine State through channels linked to the AA.

In total, authorities seized 24 suspects, three firearms, and two vessels.