Drugs seized as Myanmar junta troops abandon outposts near Machanbaw under KIA pressure

Mizzima

Joint revolutionary forces including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) discovered a cache of narcotics during a clearance operation of temporary outposts in Machanbaw Township, Kachin State, on 8 February.

“They retreated as the revolutionary forces advanced. No weapons were seized, but drugs were found specifically heroin and WY tablets (methamphetamine),” said the source close to the KIA.

The discovery followed the sudden withdrawal of junta troops from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 137 as revolutionary columns advanced through the area.

“Those stationed around Machanbaw, Putao, and Khaunglanphu are often personnel with poor conduct or those facing disciplinary actions. They were sent here as a form of exile instead of being dismissed, so their morale is low. This time, it wasn’t even a full-scale attack. The revolutionary forces were just moving through the frontline, but the junta troops assumed their camp was being raided and fled,” the source added.

According to a source close to the KIA, the seized items included heroin and WY tablets – a form of methamphetamine – though no weapons were recovered from the sites. The junta troops reportedly retreated from their frontline positions into the main LIB 137 base as soon as they realized revolutionary forces were nearby.