Packaging of speed just over the border

Packaging of speed just over the border

Millions of methamphetamine pills are being packed ready for export into neighboring countries at a Wa-dominated Shan village 30 km across the Chiangmai border, reported an insider source from the area.

The location is Hwe Aw, where the Special Brigade #171 of Wei Hsuehying  a.k.a Sophon Jandee, 53, younger brother of Wei Hsuehlong and Wei Hsuehkang, is headquartered. "Day and night they are wrapping them up in 100,000 pill-packets," said the source. "I saw them drying the pills up in the sun to let off the humidity. Each mound of pills looked just like a small hillock."

The report coincided with Thai intelligence accounts saying 5 million speed pills were poised to enter the kingdom. Thailand's Third Army has already been ordered to deploy along the Burmese border to block the smuggling routes, according to Bangkok Post.

"This is the second time since May last year when the Surasi 143 War Game was launched," noted a Shan State Army commander," and is sure to arouse Burmese suspicions."

The Surasi maneuvers coincided with the Battle of Pang Maisoong (20 May - 20 June 2002) that was fought between the SSA and the Burma Army.

Hwe Aw, a village of a hundred households until three years ago, is now more than 300 households, the addition being the 171st that had moved from its former base in Monghsat, 140 km northeast. For sometime, there has been reports that it might moved further west to Mongjawd, 30 km away. But it is yet to materialize so far.

The youngest Wei, who is known as Paw Htao Sarm (Elder #3) and speaks Thai, Shan and Chinese fluently, is at present living with an 18 year old new wife, a native of Poongpakhem, a village 15 km down south, says the report.