Ma Thida Mon, the main suspect’s wife, was
arrested on August 14 after police found a hand
grenade in her home (Photo: MNA)

The suspect police were looking for, Ko Soe Khet, also known as Ko Kyaw Khet, 29, was not at his house in Hnit Kayin Village at the time of the police inspection. Ma Thida Mon, the suspect’s wife, told the officers she did not know of her husband’s whereabouts.

In searching the premises, police found a hand grenade in a wardrobe, according to U Shwe, a member of the Hnit Kayin Village’s voluntary fire brigade who took part in the bust.

“We heard that he [Ko Soe Khet] had a bomb. We didn’t dare go [to his house] at night so we only went there in the morning. He didn’t come home that night. There was only his wife, mother-in-law and child [at home],” said U Shwe.

The Lamaing Myoma Police Station charged Ma Thida Mon under Section 19 of the Arms Act.

“We haven’t been able to arrest Ko Kyaw Khet yet. We have arrested people who use and distribute drugs. We are taking action against these suspects,” said Police Inspector Nai Win Thein, head of the Hnit Kayin Police Outpost.

Police also arrested five drug users and distributors in the area, including a 21-year-old who was arrested at his home with 0.1 grams of methamphetamine, or ICE. A 47-year-old man and a 28-year-old man were arrested together at a rubber plantation with 0.02 grams of ICE. Another two suspected users, a 22-year-old and 23-year-old were arrested with six ICE pills and told police they had bought the drugs from Ko Kyaw Khet, according to officers at the Hnit Kayin Police Outpost.

Lamaing Myoma Police Station filed charges against the five men and against Ko Soe Khet under sections 15, 16(c), and 21 of the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substance Law.

According to the Hnit Kayin Village administrator, Ko Soe Khet is a Mon national from Tha Byu Chaung Village, Paung township who moved to Hnit Kayin Village with his family.