Pills smuggled by fowls

No.01 - 11/2006

1 November 2006

Drugs

Pills smuggled by fowls

The said associate has already imported at least 6 million yaba (methamphetamine) pills since September into Thailand through this method, according to the businessman, who has for 3-years been one of S.H.A.N.'s principal sources.

Ah Kuang aka Win Maung, 35, who has license as a breeder, had shipped 600 fighting cocks from Monywa, Sagaing Division, where the Wa had set up an agricultural project, to Tachilek with 5 Dyna six-wheelers. The WY Tiger Long Tail R-20 (orange color), a much favorite brand among drug users, that came along was conveniently camouflaged by the odor of the fowls as well as bags of garlic.

The fowls were purchased at 5,000 – 20,000 kyat ($ 4-15) apiece and kept at a 100 acre plum and mango orchard outside Monywa before traveling more than 1,000 km to Tachilek. A drug refinery, relocated from Shan State, is reported to be in the orchard.

The fighting cocks were just left by themselves following their arrival in Tachilek, across Thailand's Chiangrai. "Many of them had died," he said, "but Ah Kuang did not seem to be worried. In fact, he has already dispatched his men to Monywa again for another consignment."

He was contracted to deliver another 8 million pills before the end of the year, according to the source.

Ah Kuang is a native of Taunggyi and attended university before joining up with the Wei brothers. He has a home near the Mekong River Hotel in Tachilek, popularly known as the 9 story hotel. "He knows all the VIPs in both southern and eastern Shan State, including the Shan State police chief," added the source, "which is to be expected of every successful drug trafficker. For instance, La Soe Myint is known to be close to Gen Maung Aye and Zhou Sang of Nayai to (Eastern Region Commander) Thaung Aye."

The drug kingpins-generals connection is explained in SHAN's latest publication, Hand in Glove: The Burma Army and the Drug Trade in Shan State (September, 2006)