NEWS - Junta's Drug Operator Grabbe

[TheTruth@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS - Junta's Drug Operator Grabbed By the SSA

SHAN HERALD AGENCY FOR NEWS
 
27 September 1999

Junta's Drug Operator Grabbed By the SSA

Sources on the border say a unit from the Shan States Army had arrested
a 
drug operator working under the protection of the Burmese Army earlier
this 
month.

Li Zigao, 40, a Kokang Chinese, was taken by a special raiding party
from 
Yawdserk's SSA from his home near the border. "He was part owner of one
of 
the heroin-amphetamine producing firms", said the source across the
border 
who asked anonymity.

"His partners are Liu Zipeng a.k.a Sai Yee a.k.a Muling and Hsiao Yin. 
Their lab used to be in Mongjawd until Col. Soe Thein, commander of the 
local military operations command, ordered them last month to move their 
workshop to Parnghawk, only a few kilometers north of the border".

Both Mongjawd and Parnghawk are villages in Mongton Township, Mongsart 
District, Eastern Shan State, opposite Chiangmai Province of Thailand.

The SSA's Brigade 727, commanded by Maj. Ternkhurh and the Khunsang 
Tonhoong Mobile Column, commanded by Maj. Khamleng, are known to be
active 
in the area.

"The arrest was due to the report made by the Chinese community in 
Piangluang (Wianghaeng District, Chiangmai Province) that Li Zigao had
been 
demanding contributions in the name of the Wa National Army led by
Mahasang 
of Wiang-ngern", said the soruce.

Mahasang is the commander to the non-ceasefire Wa group and a member of
the 
National Democratic Front, an umbrella organization of the non-Burman 
groups fighting against Rangoon. He is also a close ally of the SSA.
Both 
the NDF and the SSA claim to be anti-narcotics.

"Li was reportedly told not to abuse the honor of the resistance groups,
to 
stop producing drugs and to stop setting up armed opposition against the 
resistance", said the source. Li's firm is reported to muster 20-armed 
guards. "He was released afterwards".

Another report from a different source, however, succinctly says: He
tried 
to escape with his handcuffs. There was no SSA official to comment on
the 
report.

Li's wife, Hsiao-ri, 36, a mother of 4 children, was reported to have 
visited the village headman very recently and informed him of her
husband's 
failure to show up, said yet another source.

Li used to serve in Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army as a battalion commander. He 
was reported to be enjoying a close relationship with Maj. Nyan Myint,
an 
officer in the local area who reports directly to Gen. Khin Nyunt, the 
State Peace and Development Council's Secretary-1.

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