Vietnamese authorities handed over a Myanmar national wanted for a drug offence to Myanmar authorities at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on 24 September, according to the Myanmar Police Force.
The fugitive, identified as Wai Htun, 48, owner of William Htun Co Ltd from Nyaungbintha Village, Hmawby Township, was wanted in connection with the seizure of 810 kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth more than K20 billion.
On 6 July, authorities seized 500 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from two suspects near Taungzinaye Village in Lewe Township. Further investigation led to the seizure of another 310 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from the vessel Maik Mettar on the Yangon River near Dala, together with 10 suspects.
The investigation revealed that the 810 kilogrammes of methamphetamine had been transported and trafficked across borders by sea.
Wai Htun was identified as the main suspect in the transnational drug trafficking. He was found to have left Myanmar for Malaysia through Yangon International Airport on 25 June. The Drug Enforcement Division of Myanmar Police Force and shared information with the Royal Malaysia Police.
While Malaysian authorities were monitoring him, they learned that he had departed from a ferry port in Malaysia on 8 July. Information was subsequently shared with drug-control authorities in Singapore and Indonesia.
Further information indicated that Wai Htun had travelled by air from Singapore to Vietnam on 9 August. Following continued information sharing with Vietnamese authorities, he was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on 1 September.
At 10 pm Vietnam local standard time on 24 September, a Vietnamese delegation led by Police Senior Colonel Hoang Tam Hieu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Drug Enforcement Police under the Ministry of Public Security, handed over Wai Htun to officials from the Myanmar Embassy in Vietnam and a Myanmar delegation led by Police Colonel Zaw Lin, Deputy Commander of Drug Enforcement Division of MPF at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
The Government has designated drug prevention and control as a national responsibility and priority, with measures being stepped up to prevent and suppress drug offences, identify and arrest those behind such crimes, and cooperate with international partner organisations to locate and arrest fugitives linked to drug offences.
The timely exchange of information and cooperation among ASEAN member countries contributed to the arrest and handover of Wai Htun amid intensified regional cooperation in drug control.
In 2026, Myanmar authorities have also handed over 11 fugitives wanted for drug offences to Thailand and one fugitive wanted for a drug offence to Indonesia.
Such cooperation strengthens friendship among ASEAN member countries and contributes to more effective efforts to identify, arrest and hand over fugitives involved in transnational drug crimes, according to the Myanmar Police Force. — MNA/KZL
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