Bkk Post - Sweep destroys drug netw

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Subject: Bkk Post - Sweep destroys drug network

Bangkok Post - Aug 1, 1999.
Sweep destroys drug network
Agents chased out of Thailand, says army

Nusara Thaitawat and Subin Khuenkaew

The Third Army's high profile operation to bring law and order to the
Burmese border in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai ended yesterday, with commanders
satisfied at having destroyed much of the ethnic Wa's network in the two
provinces.

Col Sutat Jarumanee, the chief of staff of the 17th Infantry Regiment who
played a key role in planning the 20-day operation, warned that it was
important to follow up on the results and maintain a strong military
presence as a deterrent to drug traffickers and illegal migrants from
Burma's eastern Shan State.

He said more important than the seizure of four million methamphetamine
tablets, 25kg of heroin and eight tonnes of precursor chemical believed
destined for clandestine refineries in Shan State, the operation removed
most of the agents of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in the two provinces,
the most well known being Laota Saenli.

"We've been able to cut off major links between (UWSA drug baron) Wei
Hsueh-kang and his agents in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai," he said.

He said that since Wei-believed to control most of the illicit drugs
supplied to Thailand over the past three years-established his base in Mong
Yawn, about 30km from the Thai border crossing at Ban San Ton Du in Mae Ai
district, Chiang Mai, ethnic Wa soldiers and civilians had been deployed as
undercover agents in key Thai villages.

"There could be hundreds, we're not sure but their role included liaison,
intelligence gathering, money laundering and other activities.

"During out operation, most of these people disappeared," he said.

Some of the villages named are Santisuk, Huay San, Sukruthai in Mae Ai
district, Chiang Mai, and Hua Mae Kham, Santikhiri, and Therd Thai in Mae Fa
Luang district, Chiang Rai. These UWSA agents gradually settled down as
ordinary villagers, some taking local wives.

He said these agents could be divided into three groups.

The top group comprised only a few people who had direct contact with Wei.
These were mostly Chinese Haw or part Chinese Haw and part ethnic minority
from northern Thailand. The second group were their subordinates, used for

various tasks. They were mostly local people from the two provinces.

The third group was made up of mostly Lahu couriers.

Col Sutat admitted that a significant number of Thai officials had been
bought by the UWSA. "They can even order the village leader to go to see
them in Mong Yawn or to bring them whatever they want," he said.

"The UWSA's-or more specifically Wei's-network here is so wide and
complicated," he said.

Laota, who was arrested on Wednesday together with his son, is believed to
be Wei's key person in Chiang Mai.

He is thought to be in charge of some of the financing and liaising with
corrupt Thai officials scattered throughout agencies concerned with border
and illicit drugs.

"Laota knows a lot about Thai officials who are implicated in trafficking,"
said Col Sutat. Because of this he was being kept under tight security.

Laota was taken in an armoured vehicle to Muang district, Chiang Mai, after
his arrest rather than kept at the local jail in Fang district where he was
apprehended. The next day he was flown back to Fang court by helicopter.

The operation involved about 800 men from the Ranger, Infantry and Cavalry
regiments, and the Border Patrol Police. They targeted drug traffickers,
mostly by night ambush, and assisted other agencies to bring law and order
to sensitive border areas.