MANDALAY — Police in Yangon have arrested a man in connection with the seizure of some 9,500 bullets in Hlegu Township on Monday, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
On Tuesday the ministry announced that U Zaw Zaw Htet Lu, 45, was apprehended with about 100 bullets at his home in Sanchaung Township. It said the case was filed at the Hlaingtharyar Township police station under articles 19 (d) and 19 (f) of the Weapons Act, which covers illegal weapons possession.
“We received information that he was connected to the seized bullets, but we can’t share the details yet because the case is still under investigation,” said the duty officer at the Hlaingtharyar police station.
The officer said a man had tried to ship the 9,500 bullets to Muse Township, Shan State, in two boxes by bus from Hlegu.
“The highway bus line contacted us when it found the bullets in one of the boxes, so we investigated and found the connection we used to arrest U Zaw Zaw Htet Lu. There may be other people involved and we are still investigating,” the officer said.
Such seizures connected to civilians are uncommon in Myanmar, though Monday’s incident is the second of its kind in the past year.
In October 2017, U Phyo Ko Ko Tint San, owner of the ACE Company and son of the former sports minister, was arrested in the possession pistols, bullets and drugs at Naypyitaw Airport. Police found more drugs and weapons at his home and business properties.
Police have reportedly charged 15 suspects in connection with U Phyo Ko Ko Tint San’s case with illegal weapons possession and drug abuse.
U Phyo Ko Ko Tint San was also charged with Article 67 of the Telecommunications Law for keeping walkie-talkies, Article 8 of the Export/Import Law for keeping drones, Article 61 (a) of the Official Secrets Act for unauthorized use of the National Security Council logo on cars, and possession of bulletproof and camouflage jackets with SWAT badges similar to those worn by the bodyguards of then-President U Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.