Customs official abuses power in Burma border town

_{By: Kwarn Lake}
 
Myint Naing Htay, in his 30s, was transferred from Light Infantry Division (LID) 22, based in Pa-An, the capital city of Karen state and has been in Myawaddy just for a month as a Border Trade Department officer.
 
During this period he has benefited from truck tycoons, carrying contraband goods such as cars and motorbike engines, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) and medicines, said the trader.
 
“What he ( Myint Naing Htay) does is not fair for small traders like us. Only big tycoons benefit from it. When we carry those goods we are arrested and fined,” he added. " In Thailand, it is legal to trade freely on any goods by paying taxes except trading of guns and drugs.”
 
“If Burma has the same law as Thailand, traders will actually give taxes on their goods. By doing that it will reduce the corruption and injustice on us,” he said.  
 
The serial number of Lieutenant Myint Naing Htay is Kapa-0393 (OSS). He is a graduate of Defense Services Academy (DSA).
 
 According to Mizzima News, 3 customs officers were arrested on January 14, 2008 on the orders of Vice Snr. Gen. Maung Aye at Mong Yu 105-mile Trade Zone checkpoint on the China Road. U Zaw Zaw Han, Customs officer and U Than Zaw Naing, Deputy Custom's officer are still on the run.
 
In addition, Mizzima wrote at the end of October 2007, all customs and border trade department staff at 105-mile checkpoint were sacked and replaced with new staff members with similar corruption charges.