SCMP-Drug baron 'covers his back in

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Subject: SCMP-Drug baron 'covers his back in deal with ruling junta'

Wednesday  February 10  1999

The Mekong Region

Drug baron 'covers his back in deal with ruling junta'

BURMA by WILLIAM BARNES in Bangkok
Suggestions that Burma will "quickly arrest" the Golden Triangle drug baron
Wei Hsueh-kang have elicited many knowing smiles in the narcotics world.

For, according to observers, Wei - touted as the successor to the "retired"
drug warlord Khun Sa - appears to have struck a protective deal with the
ruling junta.

A senior member of Thailand's Narcotics Control Board, Prasit
Cheewinnittipanya, has claimed in the Thai press that the Burmese are
"searching" for the man experts describe as the most important heroin and
amphetamine entrepreneur with the United Wa State Army.

The Drug Enforcement Agency describes the Wa as the "dominant heroin
trafficking group in Southeast Asia, and possibly the world". Wei was
indicted in an Eastern New York Federal Court in June - and the State
Department has put a US$2 million (HK$15.4 million) bounty on his head.

The Wa agreed to a ceasefire with Rangoon a decade ago which effectively
left them free to pursue their drug business - as long as they kept out of
politics.

The junta's generosity extended to the likes of Wei who it has described as
"a leader of the nation's races". The Yunan-born leader of the United Wa
State Army's southern command - who is believed never to have held a Burmese
passport - nevertheless thought it wise to check that his back was still
covered after the American indictment.

Jane's Intelligence Review reported recently that on a trip to Rangoon he
obtained a guarantee against arrest or extradition from the intelligence
chief Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt.

"What he offered in exchange is not immediately clear," the Review said.

The capital has controversially been chosen to host this month's annual
Interpol conference on drugs - although it offers freedom of the city to
several wanted traffickers including Khun Sa.

Several European countries have boycotted the meeting.