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By Aung Myo Lwin
I think I first encountered "Yaba" around 2012. I started noticing it while traveling to Shweli (Ruili). I observed young women selling it in certain parts of the city. Later, when I entered the computer accessories import business, I became even more aware of it.
Here is how it happened: I was importing computer parts from China. I bought from the same shops as the other importers, but there was no way I could compete with their prices. Some shops on Seikkantha Road were selling items at the exact same prices found in Shweli. After meeting with some major businessmen in Shweli, I finally understood the situation. They weren't actually in the business of importing computer accessories; they were using the parts as a front for transporting Yaba. Their goal was simply to liquidate the inventory as quickly as possible once the goods reached Yangon. They would tell the local shops, "Take whatever you want—on credit, or at 'Jiegao' prices (rock-bottom prices)." Consequently, I stopped importing and ended up in a position where I had to buy from them to resell.
Later on, the Yaba trade moved from Mandalay to Maungdaw, and from Yangon via fish carriers to the "Mingon" naval base in Sittwe. From there, it traveled to Maungdaw and into Bangladesh. It wasn’t long before production capabilities emerged within the Maungdaw and Buthidaung areas. During the Rakhine conflict, with travel restricted and information blacked out, the military and certain local groups reportedly collaborated behind closed doors to share the profits.
Bangladeshi intelligence is well aware of this. You can read the international reports on Google; I’m not just making this up. I have deep information networks within Rakhine State, and I consider Bangladesh my second home. I want you to know that the "Bangladeshi Consul in Sittwe" mentioned in my story "Me and Plane Crashes" later became a high-ranking intelligence officer in Bangladesh before retiring. They are fully aware of these details. At that time, a wealthy man—originally from the Myanmar border but who had become successful in Chittagong—was arrested by a RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) unit. I happened to be on a flight to Bangladesh with the detainee's wife at the time of the arrest. I contacted the head of the Chittagong RAB, Mr. Amdat, to inquire, but it was unsuccessful. He warned me not to get involved, so I couldn't help. As it turned out, the Financial Minister of Bangladesh at the time was from Chittagong. While attending an Iftar (fast-breaking) event in Chittagong, the Minister mentioned he wanted to see his friend—this Myanmar-born businessman. Only then did the RAB release him on bail.
Yaba later became rampant in Yangon, available everywhere. Initially, a single pill was 3,000 Kyats. A pack of 10 pills wrapped in foil was called a "tann" (a row), costing 30,000 Kyats. However, in Muse, the price was only 450 Kyats. As soon as it hit the major cities, the price plummeted/skyrocketed. In Yangon, there was a variety known as "Army-produced Yaba," which had low "Ice" (methamphetamine) content and poor quality. Later, I heard of groups producing high-quality stuff inside cargo trucks in Yangon. They say that if you place it on foil and heat it, and it sparkles brightly, it contains high-quality Ice.
The Anti-Vice Department (known as "Da-Na") could tell a house was using Yaba just by catching the "rose-like" chemical scent while passing the front door. When they raided a house, they wouldn't look for the foil, lighters, needles, water bottles, or straws first. Instead, they specifically looked for chewing gum or gum wrappers. Finding those was taken as a sign of Yaba use. Eventually, Yaba production began in Bangladesh as well. After that, the market in Rakhine collapsed, and internal conflicts broke out between the military and local groups.
(Whether you believe this or not, take it as a story or a personal perspective.)
Note: For Marijuana, America is the best; but for other narcotics, Myanmar’s products are top-tier.
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