A close relative of Zhou Sang, leader of the Nayai militia in Southern Shan State’s Namzang Township, has categorically denied he had anything to do with the 761 kilograms of drugs seized on July 10 in Tachilek. He, however, refused to say to whom the consignment belonged.

The police have been interrogating and arresting suspects as well as confiscating their properties since the seizure in Tachilek almost three weeks ago.

The chief suspect is Ah Fa aka Chen Tafa aka Tin Oo, believed to be the main middleman. According to Thai and Burmese drug enforcement officials, he has fled from his home in Nakawngmu, Mongton Township, into Thailand. He could be hiding in Nong Ook, officially known as Ban Arunothai in Chiangmai’s Chiangdao district, opposite Mongton Township, they said.

Meanwhile, a source from Namzang said military and police authorities had made “a surprise call” on Nayai and its neighbour Mark Kieng
militia group in the wake of the seizure. “They did not find anything
suspicious,” said the source. “Of course, the groups had already received a tip off of the visit,” he added.

The seized drugs originated in Namzang from where it was taken on a 400-kilometre journey through Mongnai, Langkher, Mongpan, Mongton and Monghsat to Tachilek.  It ended opposite Maesai in Tachilek, where it was seized, reliable sources said.

Zhou Sang, a former associate of the late Khun Sa, is named in several drug reports as a major drug producer and entrepreneur.