Soldier who fled from military junta forces arrested with methamphetamine pills in Kawthaung

July 24 Mizzima. A soldier who fled from the military junta forces was arrested and detained with methamphetamine pills in Kawthaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, the Kawthaung Township People's Defence Force announced today (July 24) with video footage. It is known that the soldier, Phyo Ko Ko, 25, who fled from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 582, was arrested by the Kawthaung Township People's Defence Force and the Tanintharyi Region Strike Force during a regional clearance operation on July 19. At the time of arrest, 400 WY stimulant pills were found in his possession, and the statement indicated that he had been conscripted into military service. "He will be prosecuted in accordance with military law," a responsible official from the Kawthaung Township People's Defence Force told Mizzima. The statement also stated that soldier Phyo Ko Ko had completed a three-month basic military training course, Batch 5/2024, at the advanced training school in Pauk Township. He was subsequently transferred to Karen State and Rakhine State, and returned to LIB 582 in early June 2025. It is known that he fled the unit due to his dissatisfaction after witnessing the military junta forces' bullying of the weak, their brutal killings of civilians, and the burning and destruction of civilian homes. The Kawthaung Township People's Defence Force statement indicated that this was the third attempt by the soldier to flee from the unit. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo