China-backed crackdown leads to major drug bust in Myanmar

Myanmar's military and police forces carried out a large-scale crackdown on drug production and trafficking in northern Myanmar in January based on intelligence provided by China, a senior Chinese anti-drug official said at a news conference on Wednesday.

Wei Xiaojun, executive deputy director of the Office of the China National Narcotics Control Commission and head of the Ministry of Public Security's narcotics control bureau, said the coordinated operation, conducted after a detailed investigation, dismantled 13 drug production sites and seized 2.47 metric tons of methamphetamine, 490 tons of controlled chemical substances, 952 tons of non-controlled chemicals, and 83 sets of large-scale drug manufacturing equipment, including reaction vessels.

Authorities said the operation also targeted related telecom fraud activities in the region.

Wei said the operation marked the largest-ever seizure of drug manufacturing facilities in Myanmar and the largest quantity of drug-related materials ever confiscated in a single operation in the country.

He said the case represents a major achievement in China-Myanmar anti-drug cooperation, providing new experience for joint law enforcement efforts and opening new avenues for tackling drug production and trafficking in northern Myanmar.

Since 2025, China has strengthened communication with Myanmar's central anti-drug authorities through multiple channels to enhance mutual trust and deepen law enforcement cooperation.

Chinese authorities have reached a consensus with Myanmar on combating drug manufacturing and trafficking activities in northern Myanmar and have shared intelligence on drug production networks in the region.

China will continue to implement the outcomes of national anti-drug work meetings, strengthen source-control efforts overseas, and deepen cooperation with Myanmar, Wei said.

At the same time, China will further advance bilateral and multilateral anti-drug law enforcement cooperation, including joint operations among China, Myanmar and Thailand, as well as China, Laos and Vietnam. It will also deepen the "Safe Passage" joint anti-drug campaign involving China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, with the aim of better addressing drug-related challenges at their source, he said.