Noose tightens on Wa

No.06 - 11/2006
14 November 2006
Drugs
 
Noose tightens on Wa
 
Panghsang, the Wa capital, has come under more pressure from Pyinmana when several of its members were arrested last week in Tachilek in connection with drug trafficking, according to sources from the border.
 
On 9 November, 6 of its members were detained after 290,000 yaba pills were uncovered at Tawkaw, Hawngleuk tract. Two days later, many more were detained after authorities came across 60kg of heroin in block form at Mya Shweyi Hotel near the Shwe Dagon replica in Maka Hokham quarter and Nyein Chan Ye Hotel in Mae Khao quarter. Both are reportedly owned by the United Wa State Army.
 
The managing director of both hotels Maj Sai Nyo however is not among those arrested. He is said to be in Panghsang and has no knowledge of the seized drugs, according to a source close to him.
 
He is the second most senior Wa officer to be implicated in drug trafficking after Ta Pan, who has been in prison since the seizure of 496kg of heroin in Mongpiang, 260km northwest of Tachilek, in September 2005.
 
So far, Pyinmana has yet to make any official announcement on the latest drug haul.
 
The Wa reportedly has been under pressure to join the Burma Army's campaign against the Thai-border based Shan State Army (SSA) South led by Col Yawdserk.