Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SH An Drug Watch
SH An Drug Watch
SPDC = State Peace and Development Council, Burma's ruling military regime
This issue is dedicated to Gon Gur (Sumarn), who died on 7 May 2007
Wa sacrifice at what price?
Two years after the Wa region of northern Shan State was declared drug-free, opium
cultivation has virtually disappeared in this area. However, the lack of sustainable
alternative livelihoods for ex-opium farmers has caused growing social problems.
With opium-growing continuing in other areas of Shan State under Burma Army
control, Wa people are increasingly questioning the ban.
“Everything is getting worse. territory along the Sino- warned them of the ban
People are desperate for Burma border. without any explanation,
food and clothes. They are reason or questions. They
complaining more and more. Under pressure from China just said those found planting
They want to know why there and the Burmese regime, opium would be punished or
was an opium ban in the Wa and with their leaders indicted even put to death,” explained
area when there was no ban by the US for drug trafficking, a Shan trader from the Wa
in other places.” the United Wa State Army capital, Panghsang.
(UWSA) has stringently
The words of 60-year-old Ai imposed the ban throughout The sudden imposition of the
Nap, a former opium grower its northern territories since ban without ensuring that
from Pangyang township, June 2005. Famously, UWSA sustainable alternative
reflect the growing dis- Chairman Bao Youxiang livelihoods were in place has
satisfaction among hundreds swore to forfeit his head if been devastating for local
of thousands of Wa farmers poppies were found after the farmers, who have subsisted
forced into hardship by the deadline. on opium cultivation for
opium ban enforced two generations.
years ago in the 6,000 “They just called village
square-mile Wa ceasefire headmen for meetings and
4
invested in the plantations,
Shan State and Wa territory in northern Shan State
with the raw product destined
for export to China.
5
following an opium ban in
2003 which forced up to a
third of the population to leave
the region.
As a Wa officer from
Panghsang explained: “We
can see big changes now.
People have been moving to
other places in search of
jobs. Some came to
Panghsang to find work.
Some have gone to China.”
6
and unhindered, under the
protection of the Burma
Army,” explained Ai Nap.
7
Smell of the drug trade lingers
in Panghsang
8
Burma Army members increasingly
turning to poppy-growing
A ten-fold pay rise last year Sources from Hsihseng the SSA won’t go away,” said
notwithstanding, more and township, further west, also a 55-year-old migrant coming
more army men and their report seeing soldiers and form the area.
families are being forced to their family members from
look out for themselves and LIB 423, 424, 425 and 426 Meanwhile, Chiangmai
some of them are engaging working in their own poppy News, on 16 January 2007,
in poppy cultivation, fields. reported that Thai authorities
according to reports from the in Maehongson are
border. Others sources say the expecting a bumper crop of
Burmese military has 20 tons of opium from
Shans coming from destroyed some of the fields across the border in
Kengtawng sub-township, in the south and east. The Homong, former base of
Mongnai township, Langkher hardest hit were in Khun Sa, who surrendered in
district, Southern Shan State Mongkeung and Laikha, the 1996, and the surrounding
told S.H.A.N. that among the townships where Shan State areas.
officers-turned-poppy Army (SSA) South is still
growers were two from actively resisting the regime. (This article was first
Kunmong-based Light “The Burma Army is afraid published by S.H.A.N. on
Infantry Battalion (LIB) 569: that if the people are well-off, January 17, 2007)
one a company commander
with the rank of captain and
another Sgt Joseph of Lahu
descent.
9
Opium ban drives Wa into drug
fugitive Wei’s hands
Increasingly cash-
strapped since the imposition
of the opium ban and China’s
restrictions on cross-border
trade, the UWSA has been
forced to rely on the expertise
of drug fugitive Wei
Hsuehkang to solve their
financial problems.
Formerly, the UWSA had
publicly dissociated
themselves from Wei, who is
wanted on drug charges in
Thailand and the US, even
denying that he was the
commander of their southern Wei's new mansion and Hong Pang offices at Wan Korng,
171st Military Region. Wei’s 3-4 kms west of Panghsang, under construction since 2005
force numbers an estimated at a cost of 200 million yuan (nearly 1 billion baht)
3,000 troops, or about 10%
of the UWSA’s total troop protected by his own security orchards in Nawngkhio,
force. units. His men are distinctive Maymyo and Zay Ann near
However, since July 2006, by their smart Thai-made Lashio. It also owns a coal
the UWSA headquarters has uniforms, Russian-made mine in Zay Ann which is
appointed Wei in charge of AK47s, and US-made M16s, doing good business, and a
economy and finance. Since while Bao’s troops have big jade mine in Phakant,
then, all trade in the Wa area, Chinese-made uniforms and Kachin State, using hundreds
legal and illegal, including old M22s. of bulldozers, backhoes and
gems, gold and timber has Wei Hsuehkang’s Hong tractors.
been under his control. Pang Company has Most of the relatives and
Anybody wanting to do numerous business in-laws of Wei Hsuehkang
business has to apply for a interests throughout Burma. who are profiting from his
permit from a committee These include a cement business are Chinese. Even
appointed by him. Most of the factory, liquor distilleries, Wei himself is not a Wa Ai
permits have ended up in the petrol pumps, businesses Hsoi (Sinicized Wa) as
hands of Wei’s cronies and selling drinking water, alleged. In fact he is a pure
relatives, to the dis- compact discs and electric Chinese native of
satisfaction of UWSA wire, a gas lighter factory (in Xuangjiang, Yunnan. When
Chairman Bao Youxiang and the Sagaing Division) and he was eleven his parents
his men. also department stores in migrated from China to Shan
Wei is now building Lashio, Mandalay and State and settled in Nam
himself a palatial mansion Rangoon. Hpak Lern, a town between
west of the UWSA’s The company also has Loi Maw and Nong Hpa,
Panghsang headquarters, thousands of acres of fruit northeast of Tangyan. ❑
10
Druglord given In 2001, Survey officials in
Tangyan township, acting on
public land orders from the SPDC,
carved up a 2,000 acre plot
WANPANG of land for Wei Hsuehkang’s
Ex-MTA Bo Mon's Local militia HQ Loi Maw Hongpang company to grow
(Khun Sa birth Palce) fruit. Some 7-8 villages lost
their agricultural lands in this
Mongma way, without compensation.
These lands are 20-30 miles
Wan Phang
away from poppy growing
Mong Tawn
areas. The SPDC however
Nawng Phar
declared that it was part of
Wan Yen
the opium substitution
Nies
Taw w
Long Yarn
program.
Sa
Hwe Keng
art
Na Y g
Hwe
Larn
MO n
To Pang Hsang
To
Vieng Mau
TANGYAN Kung Jawng Most work team leaders
Lo m Pa
Na
Khawk Noi
ng tie
Loi En
R
Mo t
Kun Hung
inside Wei’s orchard are
V E
ng
11
The politics of drug eradication in
Shan State
Each year the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Areas under the control of the Burma Army and its allies
Crime (UNODC) publishes and areas controlled by ceasefire groups in N.Shan State
its annual drug survey report
on Burma, and each year its
CHINA
figures are routinely reported
by the international press,
Muse M
together with the continuing
claims of “remarkable K I A Namkham
KDA
MNDAA
success” in opium M
(Kyaw Myint)
M
eradication in Burma. Former
KDA
PSLA Kutkhai
The UNODC reports
studiously avoid any mention KDA
EE N
root causes of the drug Hsipaw
T U
“Opium Poppy Cultivation in CHINA
N A M
12
In the interests of truth,
Opium poppy cultivation in Shan State, Myanmar, 2006 which may hopefully feed one
(From October 2006 UNODC report, p 119) day into a truly workable and
sustainable drug eradication
policy in Burma, SHAN is
therefore contrasting on
these pages the UNODC
map of drug producing areas
with the areas in northern
Shan State controlled by the
Burma Army and its allies.
It can be clearly seen
that the majority of the poppy
cultivating areas are in fact
directly under SPDC control.
Meanwhile, the main “poppy-
free” areas are under the
control of ethnic ceasefire
groups. Thus, contrary to the
UNODC’s claims, the drug
eradication record of certain
ceasefire groups is distinctly
superior to that of the regime
itself.
13
Really “poppy-free”?
While the UNODC continues to claim that opium production in Burma is decreasing
drastically, a random survey by SHAN in late 2006 showed that several of the areas
designated as “poppy-free” by the UNODC in their October 2006 report were actually still
growing poppies, in some cases extensively, and under the direct patronage of the Burma
Army.
Kutkhai
Kunlong Hopang
Mongmit
Mongyaw
Namtu
Mongkut
(Mogok)
S A L W E E N
Lashio
Loimaw
Mongma
Nampawng
Hsipaw Mong
Loinguen keng
Kyawkme
Mongpat
Tangyan
Mongyai
Nawngkhieo
Namlan
Manli
G
N
A
Maymyo P
Tonglao M
Kesi A
N
U
T Pangketu
M
A
N
14
More opium output in
northern Shan State
Contrary to official claims, Mawfa area under the Burma Mongheng militia in the
northern Shan State that has Army command, southwest neighboring Tangyan
been under a stringent opium of Panghsang, following the township. “We were also
ban since the 2001-2002 zero-production declaration required to grow it in deep
season is enjoying a bumper by the Wa leadership in June forests and mountainous
crop during the latest season 2005. areas”.
which ended in March 2007,
according to sources coming West of the Salween, One of his Shan neighbors
to the border. farmers continued cultivation meanwhile disclosed he had
under firm supervision of pro- been working as a tenant to
Most output, they say, took junta militia forces. “We had a local official from the
place in areas under the to either acquire permits Kachin Defense Army (KDA),
a ceasefire group favored by
the Burma Army. The group
is active in Namkham, Muse,
Kutkhai, Hsenwi and Lashio
townships.
Burma Army and pro-Burma from the local authorities or He refuted official claims that
Army militia control. work as joint ventures with opium in circulation is
them,” said a 60-year-old essentially from last year’s
Hundreds of poppy farmers ethnic Chinese farmer with 2 output. “That is simply not
from the United Wa State adult children from Mongyaw, true,” he said. “Everyone with
Army controlled territory Lashio township, who a little opium savvy can see
along the Chinese border recently returned from “a joint that it’s from the latest
reportedly moved into the venture” with the Mongha- harvest.”
15
Sources also agree that
apart from the rising prices,
the traders are facing very
Druglord appointed
few problems conducting
their business. “The results Namkham USDA leader
of course are more abuses,
addictions and social
problems among the
population, especially among
the youth, the future of our
country”, complained a local
resident of Muse on the Sino-
Burma border.
16
A model of SPDC drug eradication?
These photos taken in December 2006 in Special Region # 4 in E. Shan State reveal the
continuing gulf between rich and poor despite being proclaimed a successful drug
eradication area by the SPDC.
17
Poppy areas swell in Shan deep south
Farmers in southern Shan Nationalities Peoples Apart from the PNO, SNPLO
State under the sway of two Liberation Organization and KNG (Kayan National
allied ceasefire groups (SNPLO) forbidding farmers Guard, another ceasefire
appear to have increased the to grow poppy in lowland group), farmers were
size of their fields during the areas in public view, unlike required to pay “appropriate
last poppy season that previous years when it could kickbacks” to Light Infantry
ended in March, 2007, be grown anywhere,” said a Battalions (LIBs) 423, 424,
according to a recent report member of the EYNG who is 425, 426 and other units
filed by Ethnic Youth Network active inside Burma. under Faikhun-based Military
Group. Operations Command
The PNO areas, officially (MOC) # 7, says the report.
More than 6,000 acres of land Shan State Special Region #
in Hsihseng, Mawkmai and 6, have been declared to be At least 4 heroin refineries
Faikhun (Pekhon) townships opium-free beginning this are also believed to be
had been planted with poppy, year, according to the UN located in the areas.
compared to an estimated World Food Program (WFP)
4,000 acres during the 2005- which is granting food (This article was first
2006 season. “This was in assistance to ex-poppy published by S.H.A.N. on
spite of stern warnings by the farming communities in June 19, 2007.)
PaO National Organization Shan State, including PNO
(PNO) and Shan State areas.
To Taunggyi
La Teng
Mae Zoom Kathay Gwin
(Shwe Pyi Aye)
Namkay
La-ee
MOC#7 Faikhun
Kahan (Pekhon)
Balapalo K.N.G.
Piking
Loiyang Mongpai
K.N.G. (Moebye)
Kathay Gwin - Settlement for former Mong Tai Army (MTA) members To Loikaw
18
Poppy-growing areas in 3 townships of Shan State South
Total - - - 6,100 - - 4
N.B. SNPLO levies 15% tax for outsiders, mostly ethnic Chinese who grow large areas of opium for
huge profit, and who must also pay refinery tax to SNPLO. Farmers are also required to pay 20,000
kyat (US$ 15.4) each to SNPLO for a permit to grow opium every year.
Loi Menay
To Taunggyi
Loimaw
(8,096 ft)
Sawsa
Hsaikhao
Pawn River
Loiput
12 miles
Hwepu
LIB 423
19
Wa children along the road from Pangyang to Panghsang. Wa communities have
become increasingly impoverished since the June 2005 opium ban.
20