Buthidaung, Arakan State: A sub-warrant officer of the police and a woman were arrested yesterday morning for dealing in drugs in Buthidaung, said police sources.

Tin Ngwe, the sub-warrant officer and Daw Aye Mya, owner of a betel shop near Buthidaung jetty were said to be drug dealers. The betel shop was the distribution centre, the source added.

The police searched Mya's shop following a tip off  and found 150 grams of Marijuana (cannabis),2,000 pieces of three lions cheroot with Marijuna filling, 430 pieces of amphetamine (WY) tablets or Yaba tablets and anaesthesia which is used in the operation theatre of hospitals, in the shop, which was  the  meeting point for buyers and sellers. But, the police only arrested the owner Mya,in the morning, the sources said.

Tin Ngwe and Aye Mya are the couple who are living together, not husband and wife. Tin Ngwe is helping Mya to do these drug businesses as he was an officer from Buthidaung police station, according to a shopkeeper from the jetty.

Tin Ngwe was arrested by the drug investigation officer at about 2pm same day after taking a statement from Mya, the shopkeeper said.

Some officers from Maungdaw and Buthidaung of are involved in the drug business. While some were caught red handed some were arrested after investigation, said a school teacher from Buthidaung who didn't want to mention his name.

Now, the amphetamine tablets (WY) have become popular in these areas for earning easy money and there are more drugs addicts in our town among the young generation, he added.