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NEWS - Junta's Drug Operator Grabbe
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.
/// END \\\
For further information, please contact S.H.A.N. at:
Shan Herald Agency for News.
P.O. Box. 15, Nonghoi P.O., 50007, Chiangmai, Thailand
Ph/Fax: (053) 807 121
e-mail: < shan@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:shan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>>
S.H.A.N. is a non-profit making, independent Shan media group. It is not
affiliated to any political or armed organization.