The Burmese military junta officials in Kachin State in northern are accepting bribes to release prisoners.  Criminals sentenced to jail can bribe the authorities to be freed. But it costs a lot of money, a source said.

This was revealed with a drug dealer in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State being released recently from the prisoners (Ye-Bet) camp in Dumbang village which is on the way to Danai (Tanai) on the Ledo road.

"My friend was sentenced to 12 years in prison on a drugs case but he was released last month after bribing the authorities," said a source close to the prisoner who was recently released from Ye-bet camp.

Before he was sentenced, his family had bribed the authorities for his release, but it could not be done then, he added.

He said that his family bribed 5 million Kyat (est. US $4,237) to the authorities for his release and now he is in hiding for a while because he is afraid of being rearrested by the police.