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Myanmar’s Military Claims Record-Breaking Drug Bust in Shan State
Myanmar’s military government announced what it describes as the country’s largest-ever seizure of illicit drugs and production equipment following a major operation in northern Shan state, state media reported Thursday.
The large-scale operation, conducted between January 8-12, targeted both drug manufacturing facilities and online scam centers in the region. According to state-run newspapers including Myanma Alinn, three major drug production facilities in Mongyai township were raided on January 10-11.
Home Affairs Minister Lt. Gen. Tun Tun Naung revealed the details at a Wednesday news conference, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of the discovery. “The currently seized drug manufacturing bases are the largest-ever drug production sites in our country’s drug history,” he stated.
The facilities, located just a few kilometers apart and approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Mandalay, were reportedly producing heroin, methamphetamine, and crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”). Military-released photographs showed extensive production operations featuring dozens of blue plastic barrels containing powdery substances, gas cylinders, large mixing vats, and glass flasks connected by tubing in makeshift structures.
State broadcaster MRTV later reported that security forces raided a fourth narcotics production site located near the other three facilities.
Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the military government, suggested these sites might constitute Myanmar’s main drug production hubs. He detailed trafficking routes extending to neighboring countries including Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia, with distribution channels running through conflict-affected regions in western, northwestern, and southeastern Myanmar.
The government claims six individuals linked to the Shan State Progress Party, one of several ethnic armed organizations operating in the region, were arrested during the raid. Lt. Gen. Tun Tun Naung asserted that drug sales represent a significant revenue stream for insurgent groups.
However, the Shan State Progress Party, which has been engaged in longstanding conflict with Myanmar’s military, released a statement Saturday denying any connection with illegal operations in the areas targeted by the army’s anti-drug campaign.
Myanmar’s extensive drug trade has historically operated primarily in remote frontier areas and has been attributed to various ethnic minority groups funding their armed struggles for autonomy. However, military personnel, particularly at regional levels, have also faced accusations of involvement in the narcotics trade.
According to government figures, authorities have seized drugs worth over 5,900 billion Myanmar kyats (approximately $2.8 billion) in the past five years, destroyed more than 10,000 hectares of opium poppy fields, and arrested over 43,900 people for drug-related offenses.
Myanmar has long been recognized as one of the world’s largest producers of illicit drugs. A December report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime found that opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar reached its highest level in a decade in 2025, fueling the production of heroin. Additionally, the UN identifies Myanmar as the world’s largest methamphetamine producer, with industrial-scale operations distributing tablets and crystal methamphetamine throughout the Asia-Pacific region by land, sea, and air.
UN drug experts point to Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which erupted after the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021, as a contributing factor to the flourishing illicit drug trade. The resulting instability has created conditions allowing drug production and trafficking networks to expand operations with reduced interference.
The military government’s announcement comes amid continued armed resistance to its rule across multiple regions of Myanmar, with drug production remaining concentrated in areas where central government control has historically been limited.
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7 Comments
Kudos to the Myanmar military for this reported bust, but the true impact remains to be seen. Continued vigilance and a coordinated regional response will be crucial to making a lasting dent in the country’s drug problem.
The sheer scale of these drug production facilities is staggering. It’s crucial that Myanmar works with regional partners to dismantle these sophisticated operations and cut off the supply of illicit substances. Proper enforcement and rehabilitation efforts are needed.
I agree, this is a major bust that could significantly impact the drug trade. Effective cross-border cooperation will be key to building on this success and stemming the flow of drugs.
This operation highlights the entrenched nature of the drug trade in Myanmar’s Shan state. Sustained efforts and international support will be required to address the root causes and disrupt the entire supply chain.
You’re right, this is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. Merely seizing production facilities is not enough – a comprehensive strategy targeting all aspects of the illicit drug networks is needed.
Impressive haul by Myanmar’s military, if the claims are accurate. This highlights the ongoing challenges in tackling the illicit drug trade in the region. Curious to see how this operation impacts the local and global supply of these drugs.
While the military claims this as a record seizure, one has to wonder about the motivations and transparency behind the announcement. Independent verification of these claims would help provide a clearer picture of the situation.