Shans Are Not Warring On Drugs For Rewards

Shans Are Not Warring On Drugs For Rewards: Shan Army 

At the brief ceremony along the Thai-Burma border on Wednesday, when 400,000 amphetamine tablets and 1 captured smuggler was handed over to the Thai authorities, the Shan State Army South of Yawdserk was reported to have informed that it was not expecting any reward for their crusade against drugs. 

Maj. Kham Hpamong a.k.a Kornzuen, Commander of the Kengtung Force, Shan State Army, who also commands the 70-strong Black Panther's Claw Column, said, "The Shan State Army only wishes to cooperate with the world against this common threat", reported SNA, S.H.A.N.'s principal reporter in Kengtung. 

The seized drugs and the captured smuggler, Jasu Laopu, a Lahu hilltribesman from Ban Thoedthai, Mae Faluang District, Chiangmai Province, were reportedly accepted by Col. Akradej Songworawidya, Commander of the Special Task Force, Third Calvary Regiment; Police Col. Phanurat Miphian from Maesai and Maj. Chartri Sa-nguantham. 

It was the result of a battle that broke out between the Shan army and the Burmese IB 331 plus the hilltribes militia unit, led by Petru and Yishay, at 14:00 hours on 13 December. The 30 minute clash reportedly took place at a location between Loi Maemaw and Loilam Nampoong in Tachilek Township. 

Col. Yawdserk, Commander of the Shan State Army, went there to personally direct the battle that is still raging at the time of this reporting. (17:00 hours) 

Nampoong has long been the headquarters of the said militia unit. The source claimed that he saw a Karaoke pub and a massage parlor there, when he went to visit it at a few weeks ago. 

A record haul of drugs, 4.1 million amphetamine tablets, seized by the Thai authorities on 29 July, was believed to belong to Yishay.