Webmaster / Tuesday, July 14, 2009 / Categories: General One tonne of Heroin Seized in Tachilek A massive haul of drugs, including almost a tonne of heroin, seized near Chiang Rai originated in Shan state, Burma, narcotics suppression officers say.The shipment was intercepted by Burmese drug suppression forces on Monday in Tachilek, Burma, opposite the Chiang Rai border district of Mae Sai, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said.The bust netted nine hundred and fifty kilos of high-grade heroin in two thousand seven hundred packs, and three hundred and forty thousand methamphetamine pills which had come from Shan State. But the authorities did not know who was behind the smuggling operation, director-general of ONCB's Region 5 office Pornthep Aiemprapai said. A source said the drugs were produced in a factory in the Burmese town of Mong Hsat, south of Tachilek, which was controlled by key aides of the late Shan drug lord Khun Sa.The same source alleged the drug gang running the factory was led by a man named Chen Papha.About three hundred and seventy six million kyat (worth about 13 million Baht at border exchange rates) in cash was found in the alleged smugglers' truck, which was laden with garlic to hide the drugs. Another source said the drugs may have been destined for Laos via Thailand. Heroin commands high prices on Europe's black markets, which could have been the destination for the drugs, the ONCB said.Six Burmese men, including the truck driver, were arrested by Burmese authorities, Mr Pornthep said.The truck was stopped by the drug-suppression force while it was driving on the Mong Hsat-Tachilek Road heading for the Burmese-Thai border in Tachilek, the ONCB said.Burmese authorities alleged the driver tried to bribe them to secure his freedom, but they turned down the offer. The record seizure is being hailed as a great success by Burma, Mr Pornthep said.The operation highlighted Thailand and Burma's active cooperation in the fight against drugs traffickers, he said.Source - The Bangkok Post Previous Article One tonne of Heroin Seized in Tachilek Next Article One tonne of Heroin Seized in Tachilek Print 2059 Rate this article: No rating Please login or register to post comments.