Ethnic rebels attack Myanmar's narcotics refineries

0 Comments | Asian Political News, July 17, 2000

BANGKOK, July 14 Kyodo

A Myanmar ethnic minority rebel group said Friday it has raided narcotics refineries near the Thai border area controlled by Yangon's ruling military junta.

About 30 guerrillas of the Shan State Army (SSA) attacked the heroin and amphetamine refineries July 7 and arrested three workers at Ban Namkad Takdad, about three kilometers from the border with Thailand, SSA's spokesman said.

Ten liters of precursor chemical and an unspecified quantity of amphetamines were confiscated by the guerrillas, the spokesman said.

Refineries at Ban Namkad Takdad are affiliates of a major narcotics production base at Ban Khailuang, about 20 km from the Thai border.

The Ban Khailuang area has been under the control of Myanmar since drug lord Khun Sa surrendered to Yangon in 1996, but drug production continues under Khun Sa's former colleagues and the Wa ethnic minority.

Thai military outposts in the border province of Mae Hong Son confirmed the raids but questioned the motives of the SSA because the group is also believed to be involved in the drug trade.