YANGON—A total of 188 Chinese citizens living in Myanmar illegally were arrested in possession of weapons and illegal narcotics in three raids in Tachileik, Shan State on Monday.
According to police, a joint team arrested 75 men and four women, all Chinese citizens, at the Lucky Motel in the Wein Kyauk quarter of Tachileik Township and seized 164 mobile phones, five walkie-talkies, five laptops and a vehicle.
In a separate raid at a home in the same neighborhood, 70 Chinese people (65 men and five women) were arrested with three M22 guns, 11 magazines, over 300 bullets, three bullet-proof vests, two cars, four motorcycles, 200 mobile phones and 25 “WY” methamphetamine tablets.
Another 38 Chinese citizens and 10 Myanmar nationals were arrested in the Yan Aung Myay neighborhood with 184 mobile phones, 11 laptops and three cars.
“There was evidence of gambling at the locations where they were arrested. Gambling and drugs can have a bad impact on youth and the town,” said a Tachileik elder who witnessed the arrests.
According to the police source, the detainees are under investigation by Tachileik police, who are planning to charge them with immigration, drugs and firearms offenses.
Tachileik, which is located across the border from Thailand, has high levels of crime including gambling, drugs and shootings. On Monday afternoon, two motorcycle drivers were shot and injured by unknown gunmen.
