By PoeSangle / MPA
Myanmar-China border town Muse has seen an increase in murder cases, related to casinos and drug abuses, according to the locals.
A male resident of Muse stated that on 29 October, 2024, two unidentified bodies were found near the Shweli River sand pit in Muse.
“Casinos and gambling dens have become so common here in Muse that they’re impossible to count. As a border town, drug availability has also skyrocketed. Some people are killed over gambling, others over drugs, and we even see cases of overdose deaths along the roadside. Each month, at least five to ten people are found dead by the roadside,” said the resident.
Since the military coup and the onset of Operation 1027, Muse has seen a surge in casinos, gambling establishments, and drug-related incidents, he added.
Due to the spread of casinos, gaming parlors, and drug trafficking, Muse has seen a minimum of five robberies and kidnappings each month since 2023, according to locals.
“Most people who get killed here are connected to drugs in some way. The two bodies found near the Shweli River had injuries to their faces and marks on their necks, indicating they had been strangled,” said a representative of Nha Lone Hla Philanthropic Association in Muse.
Another unidentified male body was found in Muse on October 23,. Nha Lone Hla Association has reportedly been collecting and transporting many of these unclaimed bodies to the morgue at Muse General Hospital.
“Every day in Muse, we see thefts and muggings. However, with no effective law enforcement, the situation is getting worse. Unless it’s a major financial loss, most cases don’t even get reported or get attention online, and people don’t even bother seeking assistance. With many business owners having left, kidnapping incidents have also decreased,” said a female resident of Muse.
In one case, Residents in Muse’s Hoh Mon Ward apprehended a man attempting to murder and conceal the body of a woman near a casino on September 14.
Currently, the majority of townships in northern Shan State are under the control of the Three Brotherhood Alliance and resistance forces, who have also encircled Muse, which remains under military control.
