Drug bust in Yangon: 3 tonnes of meth, 200kg ketamine seized

A drug trafficking group was apprehended in Yangon Region, with over 96 billion kyats worth of methamphetamine weighing three tonnes and 200 kilogrammes of ketamine.

According to the Myanmar Police Force, a joint operation led by the Anti-Narcotics Police Force took place on the evening of 6 March. At around 7:30 pm, authorities raided a warehouse in the 144th Ward of Dagon Myothit (South) Township and seized 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine, along with several vehicles, including a Toyota Hilux, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Mercedes-Benz.

The operation led to the arrest of five individuals involved in the drug trafficking network.The methamphetamine was reportedly part of a trade managed by Tin Maung Win, a regional operator in Pan San Township (Wa Self-administered Division) who facilitated the transport and sale of the drugs.

On 6 March at around 9:30 pm, authorities tracked down a Hyundai Box vehicle in the (D) Ward of North Okkalapa Township.

During the search, they seized 1.265 tonnes of methamphetamine and 200 kilogrammes of ketamine from the vehicle. The drugs were intended to be transported via sea from Malaysia. The operation was managed by AA business operator Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Lin and his wife Ma Thida Myint, the owner of the Shwe Kaung Tha fishing boat.

In Yangon, Min Min Soe was arrested for receiving the drugs, which were to be shipped to Malaysia using the Shwe Kaung Tha boat. Furthermore, the same boat was used to transport methamphetamine to Malaysia in February 2023.

During this operation, the leader of the drug trafficking network, Myo Min Soe (aka) Ko Myo was captured with a Celsior vehicle in North Okkalapa. Authorities also seized one tonne of methamphetamine from his residence in North Dagon Township.

The operation led to the arrests of other fours in Seikkyi Khanaungto, along with the Shwe Kaung Tha boat. In total, 3.465 tonnes of methamphetamine and 200 kilogrammes of ketamine, valued at 96.625 billion kyats were seized. AA business operator Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Lin and his wife Ma Thida Myint were operating vehicle rental businesses in Tangyan, Taunggyi, Mandalay and Yangon, using 16 passenger transport vehicles for their illegal logistics operations. They are reportedly under investigation for violations of drug-related laws.

Authorities are working to seize the profits and assets derived from drug trafficking activities and efforts are ongoing to ensure these assets are confiscated under anti-money laundering laws to be held in the public treasury.