Former American businessman detained in Myanmar after alleged financial misconduct

FILE - U.S. and Myanmar national flags are decorated at University of Yangon's convocation hall in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 19, 2012. Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP hide caption

BANGKOK — The former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar has been detained upon his return to Yangon after the organization said it was looking into suspicious financial transactions by ex-board members.

Adam Castillo, a founder and owner of the security risk management firm AGS Myanmar, was detained Thursday at Yangon International Airport, according to an associate who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing safety concerns.

Castillo's company told The Associated Press it was an "ongoing matter" and refused to comment further. Castillo did not respond to an email sent through his personal website.

The U.S. State Department said it was aware of reports that an American had been detained in Myanmar but could not comment further "due to privacy considerations."

Myanmar's military-backed government hasn't released any official statement. The government, the Yangon regional government office and the Yangon Regional Police Department did not answer requests for comment. Authorities in Myanmar, in the midst of civil war, rarely speak to international media.

But several outlets close to the military, including NP News, reported that Castillo had been arrested after the American Chamber of Commerce filed a complaint against him. He was president of the organization from 2023-2025.

Asked about the complaint, the chamber's executive director, Myat Phyu The, said she could not give details but said the organization's May 29 annual report "covers the issue at hand." The organization promotes American businesses.