Khun Sa follower grabbed by

Khun Sa follower grabbed by "friends" 

Drugs 

A former follower of ex-warlord Khun Sa was arrested on Saturday (24 May) in connection with a refinery overrun in March after being tipped off by China, said sources from Tachilek. 

Sai Tip, 36, was taken from his home in Pasak ward by Military Intelligence #24. "It has nothing to do with the bombings on 21 May," said a source from the business sector, in reference to 4 mysterious bombblasts that left 4 killed and the King Bayintnaung statue shattered. "He was said to be a partner of Sai Yee, who was arrested earlier." 

Sai Yee a.k.a Liu Zipeng, also a former follower of Khun Sa, was detained on 28 April at his home in Nakawngmu, Mongton Township. The refinery of which he was reportedly a major share-holder and located some 30 km west of Nakawngmu was seized on 30 March. China later disclosed that the information was provided by the Narcotics Center in Yunnan. 

A few other erstwhile followers were also interrogated and released later, said the sources. Zarmhurng a.k.a Zhang Weigang, 43, Khun Sa's second son, who also lives in Tachilek, however, was not among those interrogated by the MI. 

Some said they were happy to hear the news of Sai Tip's arrest. "He was the one who, in collaboration with the MI, confiscated our fields in Hawngleuk last year," said a source who had since moved to Maesai, Tachilek's twin city in Thailand. "Serves him right to be grabbed by his own friends." 

Sai Tip, born of a Chinese father and Akha mother, is a native of Kardhtai, Kengtung. He finished high school at the Ban Hintaek Chinese language school set up by Khun Sa and went to Taiwan for further studies. He returned only after Khun Sa surrendered in 1996. Sai Tip being a common name in Shan, he is known as Sai Tip Taiwan. 

Updated: 9 June 2003