Navy personnel seizes medicines, electrical equipments worth millions of Kyats transported from Yangon

Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 4 August 2024

A consignment of medicines and electrical equipment worth millions of Kyats, which was transported by a private ship from Yangon to Sittwe, was seized by the junta’s navy personnel at the mouth of Kaladan river in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan (Rakhine) state. 

The junta termed the goods as illegal even though the carriers have necessary permission for trading in Myanmar and those were transported with proper authorization and payments to the port authorities.

A reliable source informed Narinjara News that the seizure, despite the official permissions, caused significant losses for the concerned owners (amounting to millions of Kyats).

"The goods were seized last week. The navy personnel sent those to the port. Even the sailors are being detained," added the source.

The seized items include a variety of medicines, which were meant to address shortages in Sittwe. Other items include electrical appliances, solar panels, batteries, etc.

Because of the intensified fighting in Arakan State, the military junta imposed strict restrictions on the land and waterways. However, some private ships and those transporting goods between Yangon and Sittwe were allowed to operate.

The goods on these ships were taxed by the port authorities in Yangon and Sittwe and those were  inspected thoroughly by the junta forces. Moreover, after collecting the fees, they were allowed to move.

In July, the junta’s illegal trade eradication steering committee seized a huge volume of food, medicine, consumer items and billions of Kyats in cash. Those were transported from Ayeyarwady region to the Arakan region. Those seizures occurred at sea near Chaung Thar and Nga Pu Daw townships under the Ayeyarwady region.

The boats and their occupants still remain detained in those townships. The residents criticized the junta for seizing legally used goods calling it a highly objectionable act.

Narinjara News tried to  contact Arakan State attorney general U Hla Thein, who is also the government spokesperson, but failed to receive any response.

Photograph caption: A ship transporting goods from Yangon has been docked at Sittwe port. (Photo by  Thi Kyar Sae Chin Ngwe Thazin)