AA rejects Bangladesh's drug trafficking allegations: U Khaing Thukha

By Admin 17 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

17 September 2025, Sittwe

Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thukha told DMG that allegations linking the AA to drug trafficking into Bangladesh are nothing more than baseless accusations.

At a press conference on September 15, Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) in Ramoo, Cox's Bazar, claimed that some Bangladeshi citizens were purchasing drugs from the AA and smuggling them into Bangladesh.

Responding to this, U Khaing Thukha said: "BGB's allegation that Bangladeshi citizens are obtaining drugs from AA-controlled territory is completely false. This is an unfounded and one-sided accusation. Since we took control of the border areas, drug trafficking has completely ceased."

At the same press conference, BGB officials stated that about 80 percent of current drug trafficking into Bangladesh occurs via maritime routes, and that drugs from Myanmar were also being smuggled into other countries.

Bangladeshi authorities further claimed that restrictions had been imposed to prevent the flow of drugs and essential goods into the Rakhine side of the border.

U Khaing Thukha responded: "Right now, no cross-border movement is possible. Under such circumstances, the allegation that Bangladeshi citizens are collecting drugs from AA-controlled areas is entirely unreasonable."

He added that drugs currently seized in Bangladesh were in fact being trafficked from Yangon and Sittwe-areas under Myanmar military control-in collaboration with the junta and some Muslim groups, using maritime routes to Saint Martin's Island.

According to U Khaing Thukha, some officers in the BGB and Bangladesh Coast Guard who profit from the drug trade are trying to cover up their involvement by deflecting blame onto others.

A local resident said: "Lately, we have seen many drug-related accusations directed at the AA. The junta also makes such allegations. The junta does this to discredit the AA politically. Whatever the case, the AA must handle these accusations carefully."

Meanwhile, reports suggest that BGB has been providing training and weapons to religious extremists in refugee camps, stationing them around BGB outposts, and backing them in committing crimes such as killings, abductions, robberies, human trafficking, and drug smuggling for profit.

U Khaing Thukha said such actions by the BGB seriously threaten stability and security along the border region.