Corrupt regime authorities aiding the spread of opium production in Shan State

Mon News
March 5, 2008

The number of private producers of opium poppies has increased in Man Tong Township, Northern Shan State, Palaung area, according to a local source. The report is confirmed by The Palaung Women's Organization, based on Thai-Burma border in Mae Sot, which recently reported that opium production has become widespread since the Palaung Liberation Army gave up arms to the Burmese Army in 2005.

Many wealthy businessmen in Palaung Area, Man Tong Township, Shan State, are investing their money in the poppies, used to make lucrative drugs like opium and heroin. Most opium crops are grown in the hills, where they are not likely to be seen by local people, said the source, who recently left Palaung area to the Thai-Burma border area.

According to the US State Department, Burma is the second largest producer of opium poppies, second only to Afghanistan. While a United Nations Development Project subsidizes other crops in an attempt to limit opium production the program extends only into regions controlled by the Burmese Army. As the area is not suited to rice farming, the main agricultural product in the area is tea, or would be were opium farming not more lucrative.

Most opium products are traded to Chinese merchants at a price of one million one kyat per viss [Burmese measurement, equivalent to 1.6 kilograms]. The local merchants then trade to businessmen in China at double the price.

Many local people are afraid to grow opium crops because they fear government crack downs. While poorer or small-scale poppy farmers are likely to be arrested, the source from Shan state said that bribery means the larger projects of wealthy businessmen are rarely harassed. The local authorities know the location of opium crops, he said, but they do nothing.

Most people in the area can barely provide for their families, and work as laborers on the poppy farms for 2,000 kyat a day.

As the local businessman get rich, the people suffer. "Our community is broken. Young men and women are addicted opium. If a husband uses drugs, the wife cannot refuse him and she has to use opium too," said the source. "Finding opium in the area is easy.

Many people are addicted. There is much illegal gambling. Things are often stolen. People are scared by their community, and many would like to leave." But while people are afraid of the changes in their community wrought by opium, they are also afraid to complain because of the economic relationship between local authorities and opium producers.