Millions of methamphetamine pills are already lining up on the Thai-Burma border ahead of the Songkran water festival next month to get in, according to a report filed by Hawkeye: One of the transporters to the border is Captain Kaling, a Shan officer from the United Wa State Army's 171st Military Region, who is based at Namyom, 6 miles away from the Chiangmai border.

Wei Hsuehkang

He had arrived from Panghsang on the Sino-Burma border on 24 February with 1 million meth pills, known in Thailand and Burma as yaba (crazy drug). The consignment was then deposited at Namarklwe, 2 miles north of Namyom. "Customers in Thailand have already been informed of the arrival," assured the source from the border.

Kaling's stock include two top quality brands: Tiger 1 and Tiger 2. "They can be purchased by the thousands or tens of thousands," he said.

According to him, the prices are:

Asked whether it was an individual venture, the source said, "No, it's the 171st's operation."

The 171st Military Region, which together with 414th Brigade and 2518th Independent Regiment watches over the Burmese side of the border, is commanded by Wei Hsuehkang, wanted by both the United States and Thailand on drug charges.