Border News Agency
Ponnakyun, September 2

On August 31, in Ponnakyun Township, which is under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) of the AA arrested 11 individuals, including seven members of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government’s police force, for involvement in selling, distributing, and using narcotic drugs.

Those arrested include 21-year-old Private Khant Soe Lin, 24-year-old Corporal Than Han, 35-year-old Private Kyaw Soe Hlaing, 20-year-old Private Aung Naing Phyo, 25-year-old Private Myint Myat Aung Naing, 22-year-old Private Bo San Yu (aka Zaw Lin Aung), and 24-year-old Private Than Toe Aung.

They are members of the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) and were serving on duty in Ponnakyun Township.

In addition, 22-year-old Zaw Myo Lwin from Yoe Ta Yoke Village, 42-year-old Win Than, 36-year-old Myo Zaw, and Yan Naing Soe from Aung Phyu Pyin Village were also arrested.

Following reports of drug use and distribution, the DLEPS unit arrested and interrogated its member, Khant Soe Lin, at around 4 p.m. on August 30. During questioning, he admitted that the drugs were linked through Yan Naing Soe from Aung Phyu Pyin Village.

Therefore, the drugs were purchased from the mother-in-law of Yan Naing Soe in Minbya. In addition, Zaw Myo Lwin from Ywatauk Village, U Win Than, and Myo Zaw were also found to be involved in the buying, distribution, and sale of the drugs, leading to their arrest as well.

In addition, it was reported that police force members were also involved in drug use, leading to their arrest as well.

The Arakan People’s Authority stated that anyone involved in the sale, distribution, or use of drugs will be held accountable under the law without exception, and that efforts will continue to eliminate narcotics from the Arakan region.