Refineries Ordered To Move Away From Thai Border

Refineries Ordered To Move Away From Thai Border 

According to a reliable source in eastern Shan State, refinery operators had recently been ordered by the junta to migrate to Arakan State. 

Maihoong reports from BP1, the border pass between Mongton Township, Monghsat District of Shan State and Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province of Thailand on 3 December that according to his source, whose reports were highly reliable in the past, refineries in the district are being told to relocate quietly in the Arakan (Rakhaing) State by the orders of Gen Khin Nyunt. 

Maj. Khin Maung, Deputy Commander, IB 49 (Monghsat) who returned by plane from Rangoon on 12 November held a meeting with Chao Li-hsien, the principal drug producer in the area, to move his "outfit" to the Arakan State in the west, opposite Bangladesh and India. 

Refineries, both heroin and amphetamines, should be operational by early next year, said Maihoong. 

No reason was given for the move, but knowledgeable observers said drug activities along the Thai and Chinese border had become too well-known and embarrassing to the junta that "moving away from the spotlight" had been become necessary. 

Maihoong added, "The recent transfer of Ltc. Chit Hla, former Commander, IB 225 from Mongton to Maungdaw, a town in the Arakan, might be connected to this latest piece of news".