Wai Shaw Yin a Southern Wa leader from Mongton Township in Eastern Shan State has had all his business and personal assets frozen after being arrested for drugs offences.

The government sealed off Wai Shaw Yin’s home, his rubber plantation, his petrol station and other related businesses next to the road that runs from Mongton Township to Pon-Pa-Kyin Sub-Township.

The businesses and house will remain sealed by official tape and seals and nobody will be able to enter until the case is resolved in court. If Wai Shaw Yin is found guilty all the sealed property will be seized by the government.

“The army and drug control police stopped two cars coming from Loi-Sam-Soan containing opium and yaba. The cars were owned by Wai Shaw Yin which is why the authorities froze his assets such as his petrol station, his home and other businesses,” said a Mongton resident.

S.H.A.N. has learnt that Wai Shaw Win, who leads the Southern Wa Force, has had legal businesses in Mongton such as petrol stations and businesses producing bricks and rubber as well as illegal businesses involved with drugs.

Wai Shaw Yin is the younger brother of Wai Shaw Ken who lives in Pasang Township. The Thai government has a warrant out for Wai Shaw Ken’s arrest on drug offences and has put a two million baht bounty on his head.

Shan State Drug Watch said: “This kind of search and arrest operation is only for show. They never arrest the big main producers, it is only small drug dealers that are always arrested. Drugs will always be dealt in this area and this has only been done to improve the government’s image before President Obama visits.”

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime says that Burma is the second largest producer of opium after Afghanistan. Shan State produces 96 percent of Burmese drugs.