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S.H.A.N : THE SHADOW OF DRUGS STIL



Subject: S.H.A.N : THE  SHADOW OF DRUGS STILL REMAINS 

S.H.A.N : THE SHADOW OF DRUGS STILL REMAINS 
August 10, 1996

On 17.07.96,at 16:00 hours , 13 former MTA soldiers from Sao Suu Lai's group
surrendered with 12 AK 47 and 7 RPG , to the Burmese Army at Aye Ti village (
Ahka village ) 15  to 20 miles west of Tachilek.

Sao Suu Lai's group, which operational area used to cover from Hin Taek, west of
Tachilek to the south of Kengtung, still have 40-50 soldiers. Their recent area
of operation includes west of Loi Tung-Loi Taw Kham, Murng Kan, Phak Tu Murng
since Feb-March. The Burmese said that the group will all surrender soon but was
unable to do so due to Sao Suu Lai's medical treament in Thailand. The reality
is that, Suu Lai is buying time to engage in drugs ( No. 4 ) production together
with the Chinese from Hin Taek areas, who are former Khun Sa's men.

At the moment, Suu Lai has more than 20 men, headed by Major Sai Phong and Sai
Nyunt.

Apart from that, there are two armed Chinese groups which used to be Khun Sa's
men. They have round about 20 men each, mainly concern with the security of
narcotics production and tranportation.

One group is led by Lui Hser Paw, a chinese from Loi Maw and who used to work
for Sao Hpa Lang (a) Chang Shu Chuan, and Tzang Suu Hwa, a chinese from Murng
Koe, Tachilek. The group members are Lui Tzing Wu ( Loi Maw chinese ), Lui Tzing
Sang ( Ko Kang chinese ), Lee Chiang Sang ( Loi Maw chinese ), Yang Tzer Hpar (
Loi Maw chinese ), Chiang Haw ( Loi Maw chinese ), and Lao Tung ( Lao Maw
chinese ). This group has about 20 armed men and operates near Loi Taw Kham and
Loi Lam, West and North of Loi Tung. Their principle activity is drug
production. Most of the group members maintain permanent residences in Hin Taek,
Chaing RAi Province, Thailand.

Another group is headed by Tzing Kaw Hong ( a ) Lao Tzing Kang Koop. His members
are chinese from Hin Taek - Tachilek and Wan Tham - Heuy Khai ( Amphur Maesai,
Thailand ). The group is about 15-20 strong and move around Burmese military by
bribing them. Its main activity is heroin production and is done around Murng
Toom, in the northwest corner of Tachilek.

These two groups are in contact with Sao Suu Lai's group, particularly in
exchanging informations. Apart from that they have contact with Sao Yi Say (
Lahu militia who used to be with MTA ), who surrendered in Feb and is now
allowed to form people's militia by the Burmese army. They numbered about 20 -30
and are involved in transporting goods up and down.

Furthermore, these chinese groups are on good terms with the ESPA ( Easthern
Shan State Peacekeeping Army ) headed by Col. Sai Lin Hsai and Maj.Sai Kham Pha,
which is about 200 - 300 strong. The ESPA operates in many parts of the golden
Triangle and said to be devoted to the Shan revolutionary cause. Khun Sa has
written to them many times, due to the Burmese pressure, to give up arms.

Because of this, these chinese groups used to contact Col. Haw Hping (  Kengtung
chinese and former Ka Kwe Yee Yang Sang ), Wu Tzing Leng ( Loi Maw chinese and
Khun Sa's representative stationed in Tachilek ) and Sam Jernt ( Khun Sa's 3rd
son ). They, in turn, instigate the Burmese army to take action against the
ESPA, resulting in searching, destroying and banishing the villagers of Aye Ti,
Ai Long and Pa Lan ( Ahka village ) from returning during the early month of
July. These villagers are within the ESPA operational sphere.

The people within the ESPA believes that these chinese groups will try to
eliminate them one way or the other including lending the hand of Burmese army,
for these chinese groups see them as an obstacle to their drugs trade.

Sao Suu Lai's group will also has  to surrender sooner or later. The Burmese
army, as well as Khun Sa are giving pressure to the groups. That was why Sao Suu
Lai had arranged 13 of his men to surrender in order to calm down the Burmese
and to buy time for his narcotics trade. At the most, he will have to surrender
before the end of 1996, and after that , ESPA members said, the going could
become tougher for them.  
*****