No.09 - 01/2005
10 January 2006

Drugs

Another Khun Sa crony on the run

Military police and militia authorities in Tachilek yesterday raided the home of one of former warlord Khun Sa associates, report Pagasus and Crusader from the border:

The haul included some 150 assorted weapons (1 M-60 mm mortar, 1 SAM-7 launcher, AK 47s and M-16s), 2 compressors and a "countless number" of methamphetamine pills, according to militia sources. "The amount, if sold, could buy the whole town," claimed one. Also taken into custody were 8-members of Captian Nawkham, 46, militia leader of Hawngleuk, Tachilek township, who escaped.

Naw Kham, a former supply officer based in Maesai during Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) days, has been living in Tachilek since 1996, following the group's surrender.

He is the 4th former leading member of the MTA to be taken action by the authorities since the past two weeks. He, together with the Nampong militai leader Yishay, has been reportedly close to some prominent members of the ruling military council. (Khun Sa cronies nabbed, 8 January 06)

Prior to the raid, Ah Ling, one of Nawkham's confederates, was arrested on 27 December with 40 kg of heroin, said sources.

The crackdown coincided with a three-day anti-narcotics conference which begins today in India, where Burma, China, India, Laos and Thailand are taking part.