Ex

Ex-Khun Sa man nabbed 

Drugs 

Sai Yi, an ethnic Kokang Chinese and former trusted follower of ex-warlord Khun Sa, was arrested by the Military Intelligence #24 on 28 April, said the local sources. 

Sai Yi a.k.a Muling a.k.a Liu Zipeng, who has a home in Nakawngmu, Mongton Township, across from Chiangmai, was arrested by Captain Myo Myat Aung in connection with the drug refinery in Mongjawd, some 40 km west of Nakawngmu, that was seized on 30 March. 

Two of his other associates, Uttama and Lao Lu "Hohawk" (the grayhaired) were also detained. The rest escaped to Mongton. "It was them who authorized us to set up the factory," said one. "And it's them who's heaping all the blame on us." 

Locals said there were several reasons Sai Yi was "axed", among which were: 

One, he was a difficult man to get along with. "Three months ago, a Burmese officer asked for a contribution of 300,000 kyat and he replied he would give away his money only if other groups did," said a resident of Nakawngmu. 

Two, he was small potato. "The junta already has already proved it would be tough with every drug trafficker except the big ones it is working with," said another source from Hwe Aw, 6 miles south of Nakawngmu. 

The raid on the said refinery was mounted by the United Wa State Army's 171st Military Region of Wei Xuegang (Hsuehkang), wanted both in Thailand and the United States on drug charges. 

Update 

Lao Lu "escaped" on 3 May after his wife, Ngao Lang, a Lisu, "presented" Y 400,000, $ 500,000 and B 20 million to the authorities, said an insider source. As for Janu, the Lahu militia leader, he "disappeared" after he surrendered to the Forward Military Operations Command at Mongtaw, Southwest of Mongjawd where the Wa raid took place.