Arakan Army denies junta claims of drug involvement

By Admin 19 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

19 January 2026, Mrauk-U

Myanmar’s military regime is staging arrests of drug traffickers while drug factories are actually owned by military generals, Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thukha said.

He rejected allegations made by junta spokesperson Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun at a press conference on January 14 that the Arakan Army is producing and selling drugs.

“The military regime’s claim of capturing drug factories is a big lie. In reality, the real owners of these drug factories are the military generals,” U Khaing Thukha said.

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun alleged that the Arakan Army was involved in cases including the seizure of drug-manufacturing facilities and chemicals used in drug production in Mongyal Township, Shan State.

He also accused some ethnic armed groups, including the Arakan Army, of creating instability in the country and exploiting the situation to produce and sell drugs as a source of income.

Responding to the claims, U Khaing Thukha said drug factories have existed for many years and that successive military regimes were aware of them.

“The military regime is not unaware of the existence of drug factories. Successive military regimes have protected drug factories because it benefits them. They are involved in these interests and work together,” he said.

He added that the military regime is using drug-related accusations to discredit revolutionary forces while failing to expose the involvement of its own generals in the drug trade.

The military regime has frequently accused the Arakan Army, which has taken control of 14 townships in Arakan State and operates alongside allied forces, of involvement in drug trafficking.

The Arakan Army, however, has said the regime is spreading political propaganda through false accusations. It has reiterated its strong opposition to drugs harmful to society and said it is ready to cooperate with international organisations in efforts to combat drug trafficking.