Bangkok Post 1/8/1999

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

Sweep destroys drug network 

Agents chased out of rbailand, says army 
Jusara Thaitawat  Subin Khuenkaew 'chiang Mai 
The Third Army's high profile oper]ration to bring law and order to the
Burmese border in Chiang Mai and chiang Rai ended yesterday, with
commanders satisfied at having destroyed much of the ethnic Wa's network in
the two provinces. 
Col Sutat Jarumanee, the chief of staff of the 17th Infantry Regiment who
played a key role in planning the 20-day operation, warned that it was
important to follow up on the results and maintain a strong military
presence as a deterrent to drug traffickers and [legal migrants from
Burma's eastern Shan State. 
He said more important than the seizure of four million methamphetamine
tablets, 25kg of heroin and eight tonnes of precursor chemical believed
clandestine for clandestine refineries in Shan State, the operation removed
most of the agents of the United Wa state Army (UWSA) in the two provinces,
the most well known being Laota saenli
"We've been able to cut off major inks between (UWSA drug baron) Wei
-Hsueh-kang and his agents in Chiang Maiand Chiang Rai," he said.  
He said that since Wei - believed to control most of the illicit drugs
supplied to Thailand over the past three years - established his base in
Mong Yawn, about 3Okm from the Thai border crossing at Ban San Ton Du in
Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, ethnic Wa soldiers and civilians had been
deployed as undercover agents in key Thai  villages. 
"There could be hundreds, we're not sure but their role included liaison
intelligence gathering, money laundering and other activities. 
"During out operation, moss of these people disappeared," he said. 
Some of the villages named are santisuk, Huay San, Sukruthai in Mae Ai
district, Chiang Mai, and Hua Mae Kham, Santikhiri, and Therd Thai in Mae
Fa Luang district, Chiang Ral. These UWSA agents gradually settled down as
ordinary villagers, some taking local wives., 
He said these agents could be divided into three groups. 
The top group comprised only a few people who had direct contact with Wei.
These were mostly   Chinese Haw and part ethnic minority from northern
Thailand. The second group were their subordinates, used for various tasks.
    'They were mostly local people from the two provinces. 
The third group was made up of mostly Labu couriers.  
Col Sutat admitted that a significant number of Thai officials had been

bought by the UWSA. "They can even order the village leader to go to see
them in Mong Yawn or to bring them whatever they want," he said. ' 
"The UWSA's - or more specifically Wei's - network here is so wide and
complicated," he said. 
Laota, who was arrested on Wednesday together with his son, is believed to
be Wei's key person in Chiang Mai. 
He is thought to be in charge of some of the financing and liaising with
corrupt Thai officials scattered throughout agencies concerned with border
and illicit drugs. 
"Laota knows a lot about Thai officials who are implicated in trafficking,"
said Col Sutat. Because of this he was being kept under   'tight security. 
Laota was taken in an armoured vehicle to Muang district, Chiang Mai, after
his arrest rather than kept at the local jail in Fang district where he was
apprehended. 
The next day he was flown back to Fang court by helicopter. 
The operation involved about 800 men from the Ranger, Infantry and Cavalry
regiments, and the Border Patrol Police. 
They . targeted , drug traffickers, mostly by night ambush, and- assisted
other agencies to bring law and order to sensitive border areas. 

Checkpoint closure to plug drug runners 

The government said yesterday it would close a customs checkpoint on the
Burmese border in an effort to stem an Influx of illegal drugs. 
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai told reporters San Ton Du border crossing in
Chiang Mai would be closed soon. 
He gave no date. The checkpoint is regarded as a main gateway for
traffickers smuggling; amphetamines and heroin from the infamous Golden
Triangle, where Burma meets Laos and Thailand. 

"After discussions with the interior minister and the security council, I
think there is no problem closing one heck point at San Ton Du on the
Burmese border," said Mr Chuan. 
The prime minister is due to visit Chiang Mai today. 
He said closure of at least one other check point on the Thai-Burmese
border was under consideration. 
"We cannot close the other check points now as they are still necessary 'or
commodities trade. Rut- it is still 
under consideration and I have to dicuss this1again to see what we can do,"
Le said. 
The announcement follows the seizure on 'Thursday of more than four
nillion amphetamine tablets and 16 kg of heroin in a border clash with
suspected ethnic Wa guerrillas from Burma. 
Officials put the Thai street value of the haul at nearly $9 million'. 
They said it was the biggest single seizure of amphetamines in Thailand. -
Reuters 

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