New joint military

New joint military-Wa factory set up

Drugs

Local Wa and the Burmese military have recently established a new refinery that would produce both heroin and methamphetamine pills, according to local sources. 

The new factory is located 15 miles west of Maeken and 20 miles southwest of Mongton, the township seat opposite Chiangmai. Maeken is some 40 miles north of the border. 

The two thatched roof buildings, one 28 meters long 3 1/2 meters wide and the other 15 meters long-3 meters wide, were constructed by the local Lahu villagers of Loinawk on 4 October. Later on 29 October, Lahu villagers of Pangpao were hired to carry 20 "big pans" from Maeken to the location at 200 kyat apiece. The said big pans were delivered to the Wa by Infantry Battalion 225. 

Mongton boasts of being the most "industrialized" in all the 50 plus townships in Shan State, having no less than 20 "factories".