Ruili – Nine trucks transporting Chinese manufactured goods were seized by the police in Momauk Towship, Kachin State on the Lwejie-Bamao trade route along the Sino-Burma border. The truck drivers had not paid customs duty.

The Seinlon Kabar police seized the nine trucks on September 6 while plying from Lweje to Bamao with contraband goods like engine oil, motorcycles, nails and foodstuff. 

"Most of the vehicles are from Bamao and Lwejie.  Among the seized vehicles are one bus, two jeeps and seven Toyota Hilux pickup trucks. All are passenger vehicles and were plying on the route with goods on the floor under the seat and were carried by passengers. The Seinlon Kabar police seized the vehicles midway. The foodstuffs being carried were cookies, snacks and sugar. Some goods were owned by the vehicle drivers and some belonged to traders," a trader told Mizzima. 

The vehicles were taken to Bamao Customs Office at about 4:30 p.m. and detained. The nine drivers were held in the Bamao police lock-up. All the vehicles and the drivers were released later after fines were paid.

Businessmen estimated that the contraband goods were worth Kyat 30 million. 

"This trade route is really a cash cow for government employees posted here. There are hardly arrests. All contraband goods like hand tractor spare parts, cars without license among others enter along this route. This is the biggest ever arrest made in this area though we still don't know why they were arrested. Unlike this route, the Muse route has a lot of checkpoints and inspections," a trader said. 

Mizzima was unable to contact the Bamao police and Customs office.