Two young detainees from Shan State North’s Muse Township, charged with drug dealing, were ordered by the police to pay six million Kyat for their release, according to sources from the Sino-Burma border.

The two youths are Htin Yan Kho (27) and Htin Yinlin (18) both sons of U Htin Chone Han from Shwethamin quarter. The two were arrested on 24 August at 11:00 (local time) after being summoned to the town’s Special Narcotics Branch’ department, a local resident who lives in the same quarter said.

“A group of policemen came to call them from their house saying that the head of police had discussions with them. They were detained as soon as they arrived alleging they were drug dealers,” the source said.

The two were said to have been beaten up by the authorities for information and confession during investigation, he added. “The two just said they did not know as they did not have anything to do with drugs. Then they were beaten until 16:30.”

After the investigation, U Yan Shin, deputy police director of Muse District reportedly told the two brothers to sign a form that they were not abused by the authorities. In addition, the family of the detainees was informed by Yan Shin that he be given Yuan 40,000 (six million Kyat). If the family could not afford, the two would not be released, said another source close to the family.

Moreover, Yan Shin said, he will put some drugs into the clothes of the two and produce them in court. “The family is worried about their sons and their lack of money. Other residents are also worried that they would get into trouble with the authorities like the two detainees,” the source added.

Nevertheless, the elder brother of the two, Ar San claimed that they were involved in drugs, so they could not afford to pay such an amount. Nevertheless, he is being sought by Yan Shin up to date, he said. “Yan Shin called him again and again like Ar San owes money to him.”

U Yan Shin was one of the people that escaped an attack by Kachin Defence Army (KDA) members. In 2007, a police force of 13 went to arrest a KDA leader, Yaw Chang Wa, in Kutkhai’s Pang Pherk village on drug charges. On their way back, they were ambushed by KDA members and four of them died on the spot and one died at the hospital while the rest escaped. Yan Shin was one of those who survived the attack.