Naypyitaw — A Naypyitaw court on Monday sentenced a former sports minister’s son, Phyo Ko Ko Tint San, to more than 30 years in prison on 14 firearms and drugs charges. The case has been investigated since late 2017.
Phyo Ko Ko Tint San is the son of U Tint San, the sports minister in U Thein Sein’s administration. He also owns the ACE Hotel. Phyo Ko Ko Tint San was arrested on Oct. 15, 2017, along with his two employees after 12 WY tablets, 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, two pistols and 72 bullets were discovered in his backpack at Naypyitaw Airport.
Police seized more than 20 guns and four airguns, National Security Council (NSC) logos, walkie-talkies and bulletproof jackets and camouflage jackets with SWAT badges similar to those worn by bodyguards of President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, from his hotel, company offices and houses in Naypyitaw and Yangon.
He was charged with illegal possession of firearms and drugs and under the State Secrets Act for unauthorized use of NSC logos, the Export and Import Law and Telecommunications Law.
On Monday, Dekkhinathiri District Court handed Phyo Ko Ko Tint San a prison sentence of 30 years and seven months. Eleven others, including his employees and those arrested in connection with the firearms and security passes, received prison sentences and fines.
The court heard from 195 plaintiff witnesses and 180 defendant witnesses.
Translated from Burmese by San Yamin Aung.
You may also like these stories:
Health Certificates Required to Enter Mandalay Religious Sites as Myanmar Struggles With COVID-19
AA Raids Rice Shipment Intended for Displaced Villagers in Myanmar’s Chin State
