10 July 2025
The Chin Regional Defense Force (CDF)-Hakha announced today the arrest of three members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) for transporting approximately 3 million methamphetamine pills and heroin. This operation was supported by the commander of the 15th Battalion in the Yinmabin District, which is affiliated with the National Unity Government (NUG).
On July 8, two vehicles—a Hilux with the registration number 9K – 1693 and a Forland with the registration number 1J – 6011—were seized in Hakha Township and Falam Township. These vehicles were found carrying nearly 3 million methamphetamine pills and about 110 kilograms of heroin.
The arrested individuals included the driver and a vehicle follower. Authorities also recovered two automatic rifles and two Mini Starlink devices along with the drugs, which were destroyed by burning on July 9. The PDF company commanders responsible for transporting billions of kyats worth of drugs, Maung Zaw Latt (also known as Win Maw) and Ko Puti (also known as Kyaw Min Zaw), have both fled.
Among those arrested, driver Kyaw Hein stated that he transported 65 large bags of drugs. “I was driving Ko Soe Thu’s car, which has the number 1G/6011. It’s registered in Salingyi Township, near Ngwe Sa Village. There are small buildings there that serve as living quarters and storage facilities for the drugs. They transport drugs from that location, claiming to be an organized group of armed forces. They refer to themselves as the Yin Ma Pin Battalion (15).”
In addition, Zaw Naung, a member of Battalion (14) in the Yin Ma Pin District, was also arrested with drugs. He mentioned that he had brought the drugs from the residence of company commander Ko Puti and that this was the fourth time he had done so. Currently, Battalion (14) and Battalion (15) have been combined, with Ko Phoe Zay as the commander of Battalion (14) and Ko Phoe Thaung as the commander of Battalion (15).
Zaw Naung, a member of Battalion 14 in the Yin Ma Pin District, was arrested along with a stash of drugs. He disclosed that he had obtained the drugs from the residence of Company Commander Ko Puti and noted that this was the fourth time he had done so. Currently, Battalion 14 and Battalion 15 have been merged, with Ko Phoe Zay serving as the commander of Battalion 14 and Ko Phoe Thaung as the commander of Battalion 15.
#Drug #NUG #PDF #CDF #mtnews update
