A new lab for the brass

A new lab for the brass

Drug Watch 

Refineries established early this year in Mongpan, some 150 miles from the border, are under the direct protection from Rangoon, according to sources from the area. 

Hwe Hsaiyam, in Loinoi Tract, located northwest of the town and heavily guarded by troops from LIB 332, was reported earlier to field 2 yaba (methamphetamine) and 2 heroin laboratories. (S.H.A.N report, 20 August) 

On 7 August, 2 small helicopters landed at the compound of Artillery Battalion 17, each aircraft to be loaded with 30 blocks of heroin and 10 bags of the same stuff in powder form brought from Hwe Hsaiyam and departed. "The goods were destined for some foreign buyers. That's all I know. Security is indeed really tight there", said the source. 

Another source who recently returned to Thailand from a visit to Mongpan, her home town, recounted how two villagers from Mai-niu, who left home to cut some bamboo, disappeared on 14 August. 

"A few days later, a Burmese soldier told the villagers 2 spies, believed to be from the rebel Shan State Army, were caught in the vicinity (of Hwe Hsaiyam) and were executed", she said. "Only then did we learn Zai Wi (age 28) and Loong Hseng (age 45) would never returned to us." 

According to Myanmar Times, 2-8 September issue, international funding for drug eradication is being expected in Rangoon.