Bkk Post - Suspected aide to Wa dru

[tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Bkk Post - Suspected aide to Wa drug baron arrested

Bangkok Post - July 29, 1999.
Suspected aide to Wa drug baron arrested
Subin Khuenkaew

Areputed close aide of drug baron Wei Hsueh Kang was arrested yesterday in
Mae Ai district on suspicion of involvement in the United Wa State Army's
amphetamine trade.

Infantry and cavalry soldiers, with armoured cars, laid siege to Ban Huay
San in tambon Tha Ton on Tuesday and in dawn raid yesterday apprehended
Laota Saenli, 60, a former village headman.

Mr Laota, who twice won an award as an outstanding headman during his
10-year service, was dismissed by the Chiang Mai governor two months ago
following allegations of drug dealings.

The Lisu hilltribesman is alleged to be the secretary of Mr Wei, a drug
warlord of the UWSA, regarded as the biggest drugs producer in the Golden
Triangle. He has denied this, but in an interview admitted formerly being an
opium dealer.

The troops disarmed more than 20 of Mr Laota's underlings, but found later
their weapons were licensed. They searched the house but discovered nothing
illegal. Twenty rounds of M-16 rifle ammunition, which Mr Laota said he had
obtained from border patrol police for use with AK-47 rifles, were seized.

Mr Laota was denied bail and was being held under heavy guard at Phu Ping
police station in downtown Chiang Mai, for fear of a rescue attempt.