Bosses offer more to get the most

No.4 - 06/2006

7 June 2006

Drugs

Bosses offer more to get the most

Reporter: Hawkeye

Despite reports of a bumper crop in most of eastern and southern Shan State, prices have gone up in several areas as buyers scrambled over each other for a bigger purchase, report sources from the border:

In Mongton, across Chiangmai, the increase is slight at 20,000 baht ($500) per viss (1.6 kg) up from 18,000 baht ($450), but west of the Salween the price has shot up from 500,000 kyat ($385) to 650,000 kyat, 700,000 kyat and even 800,000 kyat ($615) in some places. "The refineries are in a hurry to fill the orders coming from across the border," said a businessman whose home is near Taunggyi. "So except for a few places where the price is already fixed by the local bosses at 500,000 kyat, one cannot expect to make a purchase without paying more."

The highest bidders at present are

• Lao Hsaw, 44, of Namzang, a partner to Zhou Sang, an ex- Mong Tai Army (MTA) member, who has a refinery in Nayai, Mongnai township
• Lao Lu, 55, a Kokang man who has his refinery at Hwe Khailong, north of Mongton
• Another Lao Lu, 52, and Haw Ping 45, who operate a refinery at Namhu Naihseng, east of Monghang, under the protection of the United Wa State Army's 171st Military Region.

Mongton township has long been known as a haven for refinery-operators. Until 2003, when Thailand declared an all-out war on drugs, the township used to boast about 19 "factories." Many of them have moved out since. However, those under Wa protection as in Hopang-Hoyawd (2) and Mongjawd (1) are still reportedly in full swing.

" All of them pay the local army units," declared his partner, Hwe Khailong to Light Infantry Battalion 519 and Namhu Naihseng to Infantry Battalion 65. "Everything goes well only when local authorities are supportive of your activities."

Sai Keow, 45, a former MTA man, who now calls himself Hsang Hsu, he claims, is another shining example. He has a refinery in Nawnglerh, 20 miles southwest of Mongpan near Pangpi, a traditional opium producer. He is said to be close to the PaO National Army's Gandama and Lt-Col Aung Maung, Langkherh district chief. "Sai Keow is one of the few respected people in the area today, "he said.

According to Jean-Lu Lemahieu, former UNODC representative in Burma, the country offers one of the most important ingredients for setting up a thriving drug industry: an undisturbed place.