Myanmar arrests key suspect behind Malaysian drug haul

By Kyaw Ye Lyn

YANGON, Myanmar (AA) – Myanmar police have arrested a businessman who is believed to be behind the shipment of a huge amount of drugs to Malaysia which were seized by authorities last month in Kuala Lumpur.

Maung Maung (aka Yassin), 44, who is believed to be responsible for shipping crystal methamphetamine to Malaysia, was arrested in Myanmar’s central Mandalay region, an official from Myanmar’s Home Affairs Ministry said Thursday.

“He was arrested on Tuesday, and the court allowed a two-week remand for him on Wednesday,” said Myo Aung, director at the special investigation department.

“We have been hunting for him since May 30 after getting information from Malaysian police,” he told Anadolu Agency by phone.

He said Maung Maung is suspected of using a trading company to send the cargo to Malaysia.

Police also searched Maung Maung’s home, seized shipping documents and froze his bank accounts with a total deposit of US$2.06 million.

Malaysian police made the record drug seizure when they found 1,187 kilos of methamphetamine worth 71 million ringgit ($18 million) disguised as tea in a container shipped from Myanmar’s business capital Yangon on May 28.

Six people, including three Myanmar citizens, were reportedly detained by Malaysian authorities.