Border News Agency
Mrauk-U, May 24
Local Arakanese confirm that drugs are easily accessible in areas controlled by the Arakan Army, leading to an increase in drug users.
In the final phase of the Arakan war, the Arakan Army has launched attacks to seize control of most townships and is now establishing administrative structures as the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
Local Arakanese report that drugs called “Weed” (cannabis) and “WY” (a type of synthetic stimulant) are easily and cheaply available in these townships, leading to a rise in drug users.
Among the users are teenage schoolchildren and many youths. According to the local community, this situation is causing significant losses and damage to human resources, energy, and the future of the region.
An Arakanese resident told Border News Agency, “We want action to be taken against drug trafficking. Since these drugs can be bought cheaply, the number of users is increasing. Parents don’t even realize that their children are being destroyed. Effective measures are urgently needed.”
Local Arakanese say that these drugs travel through many towns – from Myanmar’s easternmost borders with China and Thailand – all the way to the westernmost Maungdaw Township, where they have spread widely.
Local Arakanese say that these drugs were being illegally smuggled and sold across the Maungdaw border into Bangladesh, but the trafficking temporarily stopped during the intense final battles in Arakan.
Local Arakanese confirm that drug dealers have long been operating in collaboration with government officials, local authorities, and security personnel. They also say that these drug traffickers continue to work closely with these officials to transport and sell drugs in the region.
Because of this, Arakan Army leaders emphasize the urgent need to thoroughly identify and take action against all drug dealers and those involved. The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government also needs to issue clear laws and policies for drug prevention and eradication, according to local Arakanese.
A resident of Mrauk-U told Border News Agency, “Everyone is going through mental distress these days, but that should not be a reason to use drugs. Drug abuse leads to crimes and is very alarming for the youth. While the AA focuses on military and public security matters, it is also necessary to take effective action against drug issues.”
At the Arakan Army’s press conference held on March 5, 2022, spokesperson Khine Thu Kha stated that because the AA is prioritizing public security issues, they still need more time to address the drug problems effectively.
Since the Arakan Army controls nearly the entire region and functions as the revolutionary government, the international community recommends cooperating with them to effectively combat and eradicate the drug problems that are otherwise unrecognized globally.
Border News Agency has received verified information from local Arakan communities listing some drug traffickers and even certain individuals collecting unofficial taxes or fees involved in drug trade within the Arakan Army-controlled areas.
Among them, some drug traffickers have agreed to restrict distribution within the region, so the easy and cheap availability of drugs largely depends on the cooperation – or lack thereof – of high-ranking government officials, local authorities, and security personnel, according to statements received by Border News Agency.
Since the beginning of the Arakan final war, the Myanmar junta has blocked all trade routes, including land and waterways, across the entire Arakan region. However, narcotics continue to flow regularly, even reaching neighboring Bangladesh, according to local residents.
In the course of the war, the Arakan Army has fully taken control of 15 townships, including Paletwa, and has been establishing administrative mechanisms under the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
In addition, the Arakan Army has fully seized and taken control of the Arakan-Magway, Arakan-Bago, and Arakan-Ayeyarwady borders. The AA also maintains complete control over the Arakan-India and Arakan-Bangladesh border regions.
