No. 19 - 01/2006
27 January 2006

Drugs

Wrong people promoted

As the crackdown on drug suspects continues, 8 of the anti-drug officials have been promoted, a subject that has become the talk of the town among official circles in Tachilek, opposite Maesai:

The actual field work was done by the territorial police, Crime Investigation Department and the Special Bureau before the Home Minister, on receipt of the reports, issued orders to launch the crackdown, they said. "The Mu-Yit (Anti-drug unit) cashed in only at the last minute," said a disgruntled police officer.

U Kyaw Hsan, a native of northern Shan State, is the head transfer of the local anti-narcotic force. He is said to have a track record of successful drug busts.

The police source also rejected reports about the recent of Tachilek district police chief for negligence of duty. "He was only a temporary substitute for Aung San Oo, who was killed a few months back (during a raid on a drug suspect)," he explained. "He left only because the new chief (Police Lt-Col Win Naing) has been appointed. Nothing to make a fuss about."

According to Irrawaddy, 24 January, at least 8 people have been arrested and 5 homes seized following a month long campaign that has resulted in the confiscation of drugs worth $10 million, quoting an anti-narcotic task force official.

A joint raid on Wednesday (25 January) at an Akha village in Loi Tawkham tract, west of Tachilek, also netted 70 sacks, each containing 100,000 yaba (methamphetamine) pills. Ah Her, the local militia leader was detained.

As for Yishay, the Lahu militia leader of Nampong, also in Loi Tawkham tract, an arrest warrant was yet to be issued although the raid on his camp resulted in the seizure of 400,000 yaba pills and a compressor. The court has however issued arrest warrants for his associates Nawkham and Kamfa. All three are still at large, agreed the sources.

"It is somewhat bizarre to us," admitted another official source. "Our superiors don't seem to be too keen on capturing Yishay. In fact, they have already given back his arms seized on 14 January to his deputy Petru."

Yishay, a former disciple of Mong Tai Army leader Khun Sa, who surrendered in 1996, is wanted in Thailand on drug charges. He has been active in the Burma Army's numerous military campaigns against the anti-Rangoon Shan State Army 'South'.