Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Yesterday morning, Myanmar held its second press conference at Pyin Oo Lwin Anisa Khan Airport to report on the latest developments in the country's largest seizure to date of narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals, detailing the discovery of new drug manufacturing sites, anti-drug measures, and related background.
Major General Zaw Min Tun, Head of the Press Group of the Defense and Security Council and Deputy Minister of Information, presided over the press conference and briefed the media. Deputy Foreign Minister U Kyaw Kyaw, Lieutenant General Win Zaw Moe, Chief of the Myanmar Police Force, and other officials attended, along with diplomats, military attachés, and media representatives from various countries. Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that following the first press conference, security forces conducted a thorough search of the areas surrounding Hsipaw and Mongya townships in northern Shan State, uncovering several new drug manufacturing sites and a large quantity of precursor chemicals. Following this press conference, attendees will be organized to view the drug destruction site by helicopter and conduct on-site inspections of the newly discovered locations.
Major General Zaw Min Tun briefly introduced the historical roots of Myanmar's drug problem, pointing out that the Ethnic Armed Groups (EAOs) have long relied on drug trafficking as their main source of income, profiting from drug trafficking to purchase weapons and maintain their armed forces. This is one of the root causes of the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar. He emphasized that the Myanmar government and military have always regarded drug control as a core national responsibility, continuously carrying out anti-drug operations since 1975, adhering to a "zero tolerance" attitude, conducting a comprehensive anti-drug war, and actively cooperating with neighboring countries and international anti-drug organizations.
Subsequently, Lieutenant General Win Zaw Moe, Chief of the Myanmar Police Force, reported on specific details of the raids: Following the initial press conference, security forces discovered 14 new suspicious locations around the previously raided drug manufacturing sites in northern Shan State, including 12 drug manufacturing sites, 1 fortified camp of the Ethnic Armed Groups (SSPP/SSA), and 1 online gambling venue. To date, a total of various drugs, including methamphetamine and heroin, as well as drug-making chemicals and related equipment, have been seized. The No. 3 drug-making laboratory alone has the capacity to produce approximately 27 tons of methamphetamine and 810 million methamphetamine tablets annually, with the seized items being of enormous value.
Lieutenant General Win Zaw Moe stated that from January 16th to 22nd, security forces have burned and buried the seized drugs, chemicals, and related equipment, and displayed before-and-after photos of the destruction. Currently, the Myanmar Armed Forces and police are continuing their raids, constantly discovering new drug-making sites. Participants will be organized to conduct on-site inspections of some key sites.
It is understood that Myanmar has consistently collaborated actively with ASEAN member states, Mekong River region countries, and international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to conduct joint anti-drug operations, resolutely curbing drug production and smuggling, and safeguarding national reputation and human security. (End)
