Vehicles without license coming from Thailand loaded with goods were seized near the broken bridge on the Thai-Burma border town of Myawaddy on November 22, according to a local eyewitness in Myawaddy.

“Vehicles without license coming out from the economic and manufacturing zones were seized on the road. A total of 12 Hilux, and 8 Hino vehicles were seized. The vehicles loaded with domestic goods were seized on November 22 and those loaded with goods for import were seized on November 23. Domestic goods including chili and onion and goods for import including clothing, slippers, cooking oil, Ajinomoto, and candy were confiscated worth about 100 lakh (10 million) Kyat,” he added.

Joint forces of the Burmese Army and BGF-DKBA armies seized the vehicles without license. Police and customs officers not present in the team.

Vehicles which had licenses issued by BGF-DKBA were not seized, according to a driver.

An officer of the BGF-DKBA said “We seized vehicles without license. We have ordered people to register for legal licenses.”

A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the seizure has to do with DKBA members, who rejected the BGF, and are led by Brigadier Gen. Saw Lah Pwe.

“There is no problem for ordinary people. But, we seized the vehicles linked to Brigadier Gen. Lah Pwe’s group recently. Now the police station compound is full of vehicles,” the officer said.

Even though the Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge has been closed since July but goods for import and export have been crossing every night from the DKBA’s border gate, which is under the control of Col. Saw Chit Thu of the BGF-DKBA, according to local residents.