A Myanmar national wanted for drug-related offences has been arrested in Thailand and handed over to Myanmar authorities at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, according to the Myanmar Police Force.
On 1 January 2026, authorities seized 5.6 million stimulant tablets from a vehicle driven by two suspects near Kweltetsone Village in Thazi Township, Mandalay Region. Following further investigations, six additional suspects involved in the transportation and distribution of the drugs were arrested. Authorities also seized another 0.380 million stimulant tablets, one kilogram of ice (methamphetamine) and 16.396 kilogrammes of heroin. The total value of the seized narcotics was estimated at K9.49538 billion.
Investigations identified Aung Zaw Min Khant, 42, a resident of Kankauk Ward, Chanayethazan Township, as the alleged main organizer of the drug trafficking network. Authorities learned that he had travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, on 27 November 2025. Accordingly, information was shared with Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) on 3 February 2026.
Acting on the information, a joint team from the ONCB and the Thai Immigration Bureau arrested Aung Zaw Min Khant in Bangkok’s Huai Kwang District on 4 October 2026.
On 3 November 2026, at 6:30 pm, an ONCB delegation led by Mr Kanison Papernon, Director of the Suppression Division, handed him over to Myanmar authorities at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. The Myanmar delegation included officials from the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand and a team led by Police Colonel Zaw Lin, Deputy Commander of the MPF Drug Enforcement Division.
According to official figures in 2026, Myanmar has received 12 drug-related fugitives arrested in Thailand and one arrested in Indonesia, who were subsequently handed over to the relevant authorities in their respective countries. 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.
MNA/KTZH
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