Border News Agency
Yangon, August 24.

The Arakan Army (AA) and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) have rejected the junta’s accusations related to drug cases.

On August 22, the junta’s Drug Enforcement Division announced that narcotics worth over 257 billion kyats had been seized in Yangon and several other locations.

Both the Arakan Army (AA) and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) have denied accusations of involvement with the seized narcotics.

AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha also rejected the junta’s allegations as baseless and unjust fabrications, describing them as politically motivated attacks and part of a smear propaganda campaign targeting the Arakan Army.

In addition, the ULA/AA stated to the media that it strongly opposes narcotics, which pose a danger to society, and will cooperate with any organization in efforts to eradicate drug trafficking.

“We, the ULA/AA, strongly oppose all narcotics that endanger society and have no involvement whatsoever. We are ready to cooperate with any government or international organization in efforts to combat drug trafficking,” said AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha.

The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) also stated that the allegations are politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the SSPP/SSA and undermining internal unity within the organization.

They added that the claims are an attempt to disrupt and damage their ongoing peace-building efforts, which they have been carefully maintaining.

They further stated that there is no one named Major Sai Su within their organization; the only person is Senior Major Sai Hsu, who serves as the SSPP’s Secretary. He is solely responsible for political, military, peace, and national reconciliation coordination duties.

They stated that within the areas under their control, all involvement by party members or group members in the trafficking, selling, or production of narcotics is completely prohibited.