Firework keeps all happy

Drugs

Firework keeps all happy

Reporter: Hawkeye

The recent bonfire of poppy seeds in Lashio has made all those concerned, from the farmers to the traders up to the government, one big happy family, according to the business circle in northern Shan State:

"It is like a public performance," explains one local businessman in Muse, opposite Ruili, who according to himselfs keeps my ears at the ground level'. "The bosses want to entertain their friends and we give it to them. Their friends are happy which in turn satisfies them. We are also happy because they no longer bother us too much. So are farmers because most of them have already harvested the season's crop. And life goes on as usual for everyone concerned."

The businessman was speaking in response to questions about the 19 March bonfire of 720 kg of poppy seeds in northern Shan State's capital, presided over by Prime Minister Soe Win.

"The Burmese authorities certainly are well-informed of what's happening," said another. "But as long as they are being provided for, the traders are not in danger of going out of business."

Outside the town limits, it is mostly the military traffickers have to cater to, but within the town limits, it is mostly the police whom they have to indulge, he added.

"But nobody's disappointed, because prices are keeping pace with the pay-offs," he pointed out.

Heroin
Grade 1 - Yuan 35,000 ($ 4,375) per kg (previously yuan 33,000)
Grade 2 - Yuan 32,000 ($ 4,000)
Grade 3 - Yuan 28,000 ($ 3,500)

Yaba
WY "Four Brothers" - 300,000 kyat ($ 300) per 200 pill bag
(Reddish orange)

According to the sources, heroin is graded by its duration: while the lower graded stuff expires (turns yellow) in a matter of months, the first grade remains potent for at least 8-12 months. "Whether your product becomes Grade One or less depends largely on the quality of ether (an alcohol derivative)," yet another businessman lectures. "Some chemists, due to shortage of chemicals, even use ether mixed with soda. That inevitably reduces the potency."

The principal patron for Shan State's most renowned merchandise is still China. According to Beijing, 95% of heroin used by its addicts come from the Golden Triangle of which Burma is a part. Output by the other two, Laos and Thailand, is considered marginal.

Shan State, meanwhile, is not without its share of addicts. The military government of Burma has been in construction of a drug treatment center in Tima, between Muse and Kutkhai, since last year. It was due to be completed by September 2004. "But it's nearly finished now," assures a government source.