THE information was released on 11 January regarding the combined team comprising security forces that conducted operations to expose and seize the materials believed to be used for the production of heroin, Methamphetamine, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances that threaten the survival of the entire mankind, and also the sites and equipment involved in online fraud and gambling.
Regarding
the largest-ever seizures of narcotic drugs and equipment used in drug
production, as well as equipment used for online fraud and gambling, a press
briefing by the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was held
yesterday morning at Anisakhan Airport in PyinOoLwin, Mandalay Region. The
briefing was led by Commission Member and Union Minister for Home Affairs
Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, and Leader of the Information Team of the National
Defence and Security Council and Deputy Minister for Information Maj-Gen Zaw
Min Tun.
The press
conference was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, and military attachés from Nepal, Laos, Pakistan, Brunei,
and Bangladesh, officials from National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) of
China, Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand, and the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and journalists from domestic media
outlets, daily newspapers, domestic television channels, and foreign media
organizations based in Myanmar.
First,
Commission Member and Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung
explained that Myanmar has designated drug suppression as a national duty and
is prioritizing it as a key task. The drug problem does not affect only Myanmar
and its people, but poses serious harm to people in all countries. Meanwhile,
certain groups and countries handle this global humanitarian problem with
ethnic, religious, or political bias. He reaffirmed Myanmar’s unwavering
commitment to serving its obligations on drug control.
He then
mentioned Myanmar’s drug suppression efforts from 2021 to 2025, the destruction
of poppy fields, seizure and incineration of narcotic drugs and chemical
substances, special anti-drug operations, and the exposure of drug
manufacturing sites.
He added
that while operations uncovered only small-scale production sites, the
currently seized drug manufacturing bases were identified as the largest ever
discovered. Analysis of the seized chemicals and equipment confirmed that
massive quantities of drugs had been produced at these sites.
Myanmar
continues to cooperate closely with the international community in combatting
drug cases in line with its commitments. The successful exposure and
destruction of a major drug production hub have significantly disrupted drug
manufacturing activities. He pledged that Myanmar will continue its drug
eradication efforts by using all available resources in the country as per the
commitments made to international countries.
NDSC
Information Team Leader Deputy Minister for Information Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun
explained that the Myanmar government regards narcotic drugs as a national
threat and conducts drug eradication as a national duty. He highlighted the
destructive activities of insurgents and terrorists under the name of EAOs to
occur instability in the country to engage in drug production and trafficking
as a major of their income, drug trafficking that support money laundering,
arms smuggling and terrorism and poses threats to stability of the country,
condition of Myanmar as it does not produce the chemicals and related materials
used for drug production whereas insurgent groups import these materials into
the country through various means from other countries, taking advantage of
instability and weakened law enforcement of the country including COVID-19
pandemic by the insurgents to expand their drug-related activities. He
continued that the government has been actively cooperating with neighbouring
countries, including China, and regional partners to crack down on drug
production and online gambling, aiming for complete eradication as a national
task. He provided background information on the areas between Hsipaw and
Mongyai in northern Shan State, and southwest of Mongyai, where large amounts
of drugs and online gambling materials are seized at present. He added that in
2013, the members of the SSPP/SSA Wamhai group entered areas south of the
region, including the Haipa and Pachi road junctions, resulting in clashes with
Tatmadaw. Tatmadaw conducted military operations advancing as far as the Wamhai
headquarters area of the group. However, in 2015, in line with discussions and
efforts toward signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), military
operations were suspended. Then, the information related to narcotic drugs
around these areas was received, and Tatmadaw carried out clearance activities
and issued warnings to the SSPP/ SSA Wamhai group.
In these
areas, Tatmadaw had previously controlled, and the region was designated as a
"white area." The Tatmadaw controlled areas near the road linking
Hsipaw and Mongyai, including the vicinity of Sin Kyaut, Saung Kye, Hoya, and
to the south, Namlan. However, following the emergence of the so-called
Operation 1027 in 2023, Tatmadaw retreated temporarily from those areas,
including Lashio.
In
accordance with bilateral ceasefire agreements, while the Tatmadaw was required
to halt operations without advancing or retreating, individuals familiar with
drug production and driven by greed took advantage of the situation by
cooperating with EAOs to establish drug processing bases, produce drugs and
commit online fraud. These activities are like the saying… the cat jumps with
joy when the forest is on fire.
During 2025,
as Tatmadaw gradually reestablished its presence in the area, law enforcement
operations were progressively intensified in cooperation with the Myanmar
Police Force. As a result of these efforts, arrests were made involving foreign
nationals engaged in online gambling and fraud, along with the seizure of
related equipment in Mongha of Mongyai township of Shan State (north) in
February 2025, Mongnaung, Kyaythee Township, Shan State (South), in November,
and Taung Hteik village in Kyaukme Township, Shan State (North), in December.
In January
2026, the local ethnic residents, who did not cherish the online fraud
operations which were being conducted in areas between Hsipaw and Mongyai
Townships in northern Shan State and the acts committed by insurgents such as
unlawful detention and torture, forced recruitment, confiscation of valuable
property owned by locals, and destruction of buildings and roads, which
severely damaged the socio-economic lives of the people, were unable to safely
provide information to Tatmadaw. But, Tatmadaw columns successively recaptured
and regained control of areas temporarily dominated by terrorist insurgents,
public trust and support for the Tatmadaw grew, and the people eagerly reported
to Tatmadaw columns. Therefore, Tatmadaw conducted aerial surveillance and
ground intelligence many times, and found the involvement not only in online
fraud but also in drug-related activities. Therefore, the government and
Tatmadaw decided to conduct special operations. Tatmadaw deployed three
battalions, while the Myanmar Police Force deployed three police commando
units, operating at full strength. This operation became the most extensive
narcotics suppression operation in history, in terms of scale of clearance,
destruction, and seizures.
The
government and Tatmadaw have expressed recognition, pride, and appreciation for
the security personnel who carried out their duties with dedication and
perseverance under challenging conditions to ensure the success of the
operation. Moreover, the government, led by the Acting President and
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, issued instructions to personally
present cash awards to security personnel stationed in the operational areas.
While
seizing the narcotic drugs, materials used in drug manufacturing, and equipment
used in online fraud and gambling activities in Hsipaw and Mongyai townships of
Shan State (North), the site used for online fraud and gambling was discovered
about nine kilometres northwest of Narlin village, whereas a drug manufacturing
base about 800 metres east of that site, first drug production site near
Manphyet Village about 26 kilometres southeast of Mongyai, a second drug
production site about 20 kilometres southwest of Mongyai and a third main drug
manufacturing site about19 kilometres southwest of the second site.
In the
course of these discoveries, temporary shelters used for online fraud and
gambling activities, computers, Starlink devices, and other related equipment
were seized from the respective locations. Also confiscated were chemical
liquids and related chemical materials used in drug production, tablet-press
machines, packing machines used for narcotics packaging, heavy machinery and
associated equipment, and buildings used in the operations. Moreover, SSPP/ SSA
uniforms, rank insignia, shoulder patches, and individuals connected to the
organization were seized and arrested, along with those involved in narcotics
manufacturing and those participating in online fraud and gambling activities.
He continued
that when the seized drug-manufacturing equipment and materials were subjected
to preliminary examinations by joint teams including technical experts, it was
initially discovered that heroin and methamphetamine were being produced. Based
on estimations derived from the chemical substances seized at the second
location mentioned above, it was assessed that approximately 27 tonnes of ICE,
valued at about K540 billion, could be produced. If converted into tablet form,
it would be possible to produce about 810 million methamphetamine tablets. If
these tablets enter the market, narcotic drugs worth an estimated K1,620
billion would have been circulated. The analysis of the seized
drug-manufacturing equipment and materials from the site revealed that the
facilities were capable of routinely producing quantities exceeding 27 tonnes
of ICE or more than about 810 million methamphetamine tablets.
It was also
observed that the packaging styles of narcotic drugs previously seized within
Myanmar matched exactly the packaging styles produced using the machinery
discovered at these sites. Based on examinations of the seized drug packaging
bearing the label “Guan Yin Wang” and other packages labelling with Chinese
characters, the volume produced and distributed from the two seized locations
accounted for about 33.44 per cent of the total amount of ICE seized nationwide
during 2025. The terrorist groups mainly rely on the production and transport
of narcotic drugs as a major source of income. The maritime exit routes are
being utilized by the AA group, routes into Thailand by the KNU, KNLA, and PDF
groups, and routes into India by the PDF and CNF groups, respectively.
He also
talked about the close cooperation with neighbouring countries, ASEAN members,
Mekong regions, BIMSTEC members, international drug control organizations
including the UN, comprehensive cooperation as a national task by every country
to ensure the eradication, and proper international participation in anti-drug
activities of Myanmar to achieve success as quickly as possible.
He continued
that the Myanmar government is combatting drug production and trafficking,
online fraud and gambling as a national duty, and will take effective action
against any organization involved in these cases.
He further
explained that drug production, trafficking, and online fraud and gambling
activities are not only harmful to the citizens of Myanmar but also pose
serious threats to neighbouring countries. Therefore, the entire people are
urged to collectively oppose such activities and to promptly provide any
information they obtain to the relevant authorities.
After the
ceremony, attendees observed around the related equipment used in producing
narcotic drugs, the seized items, and photos.
The
Commission Member Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung and
Leader of NDSC Information Team and Deputy Minister for Information, and
relevant officials, together with diplomats, domestic and foreign media outlets
travelled by helicopter to a drug-manufacturing site near Man Phat Village,
located about 26 kilometre southeast of Mongyai in northern Shan State. At the
site, temporary structures, chemical substances, and related equipment used in
drug production were explained area by area. The officials and members of the
security forces who participated in the exposure and seizure operations
provided clarifications and answered questions raised.
The
Commission Member and party then proceeded to another major drug-manufacturing
site located about 19 kilometres southwest of that area. The relevant officials
provided clarification and answered questions regarding the chemical substances
and equipment used in drug production.
Union
Minister Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung and Leader of NDSC Information Team Maj-Gen Zaw
Min Tun presented K100million provided by Acting President and Chairman of
State Security and Peace Commission for Tatmadaw members and Myanmar Maj-Gen
Win Bo.
Then, the
temporary shelters, chemical substances, and related equipment used in drug
manufacturing were explained area by area, and responsible officials and
security force members involved in the exposure and seizure operations provided
further clarifications and answered questions. The Union Minister and party
observed the drug manufacturing site about 20 kilometres northwest of Mongyai
by helicopter and returned.
Today,
security forces who participated in the operation to uncover and seize drug
production sites answered questions from the media as follows: -
A police
member
We arrived
at Mongphyat on 8 January. On 9 January, police, Tatmadaw, and commando units
all gathered carefully and then marched together from Mongphyat. It had taken
us two days to come this far. We also had to cross creeks. One of the creeks
was about 20 feet wide and eight feet deep, and we crossed it carefully to
avoid any danger. During this operation, we arrested suspects. In addition,
there were uniforms that were recovered as well. These buildings were also
secured intact, without any damage. We carried out the operation according to
the procedures of the Myanmar Police Force, following the directives of the
Union Minister for Home Affairs, instructions from the Chief of Police, and
under the close supervision of responsible officers. The Myanmar Police Force
will continue to collaborate with Tatmadaw in eradicating illegal drugs.
A Tatmadaw
member Starting on 9 January, we marched from Mongphyat. The main reason for
this operation was that we had received orders from higher authorities to
eradicate narcotic drugs, so we studied the terrain and set out. The fighting
occurred in a short time. At the beginning of our march, we captured one person
– a 37-year-old man. Later, after reaching the area and completing the security
operations, six more men were arrested, bringing the total to seven. When we
arrived, we went up a difficult mountainous area, not the location the targets
had expected. The creek nearby was quite deep, with a strong current. Crossing
it together with both Tatmadaw column and the police commando units was risky
and could have taken a long time. Therefore, I advised the police Major to
separate the forces into two groups to cross the creek more efficiently. By 7
am, we had fully raided the area. At that time, those from the drug-related
area fled in disarray.
MNA/KTZH
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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