Warneizza monastery abbot Pyinnyaw Bartha has held a press conference and denied allegations of drug trafficking and gun running at his monastery after it was searched by police.

A police search team led by the Bahan Township Police Chief reportedly went to Warneizza monastery in Chauk Htat Gyi monastery complex in Bahan Township on October 5 at about 3 p.m. after getting a tip-off that drug trafficking and gun running was being committed at the monastery.

The abbot held a press conference on October 29 at Warneizza monastery and denied the allegations.

Regarding the case, Bahan Township Police chief Pol. Maj. Thein Win told Mizzima when contacted, “We have to investigate and search whoever, monks or laymen, when we receive search order from higher authorities even without pre-investigation as our duty.”