The recent drug bonfire in northern Shan State’s Kokang by junta officials could have been one of the regime’s ploys to wipe out ceasefire groups, especially the deposed Kokang leader’s faction as well as a signal to the visiting US delegation of its stance against illicit drugs, according to Burma watchers on the Sino-Burma border.
On October 31, junta authorities held a drug bonfire at the Region Drugs Elimination Museum of Kokang, Special Region No.1 in Shan State North. The ceremony was presided over by Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Chief of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi, and attended by representatives from the foreign media, foreign embassies, UN agencies and social organizations and the Kokang new leader Bai Xuoqian, according to the New Light of Myanmar.
The report said the drugs were seized from the Peng Jiasheng group during the period of August 11 to October 24. The total value of all destroyed drugs and chemicals was estimated to be over Kyat 20 billion (over US$ 20 million). Peng was highlighted as a drug dealer as well as a producer of weapons.
However, the destruction of the drugs has instead thrown up some important questions, according to a veteran border analyst.
For one, both Bai Xuoqian and Peng Jiasheng were reported to have been involved in the drug business, but only Peng was blamed.
The other question is there have been no honours for local authorities like Brig-Gen Hla Myint of Laogai Regional Operations Command, Brig-Gen Aung Kyaw Zaw of the Light Infantry Division (LID) #33 and Brig-Gen Thein Tun of Hsenwi based Military Operation Command (MOC) #16.
“Their names were not even mentioned," he said, “Hence the question, whether the drugs were really from the area.”
In addition, according to an official 2008 secret report, more poppy cultivation was found in the areas under the control of the Burmese Army than those under the ceasefire armies.
“The question therefore arises whether the junta is sincere about eliminating drugs,” he said.
In 1999, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) embarked on a 15-year plan to eradicate the cultivation and production of all drugs in Burma by 2014.
According to the Shan Drug Watch 2009 report published by SHAN, only seven out of 22 townships targeted in the first phase, from 1999 to 2004, can claim drug-free status, whereas phase two, from 2004 to 2009, can claim six out of 20 townships – 16 in Shan State, four in Kachin – as drug free.
In the mean time, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) also reported that Burma’s drug output had increased by three percent during the 2007-08 season.
