Hmong hats laced with opium, police say

NAN: -- A Hmong woman was arrested yesterday for hiding 710 grams of prepared opium in six tribal hats, which were due to be exported to the United States, but her husband has so far avoided arrest.

Case Investigator Pol Maj Gen Kittikhun Khunchum said Payia Saesong, 46, was arrested while embroidering the hats at her home in Tambon Pa Klang, in Pua district. He said the woman claimed it was the first time she had done this and that was following an order from her husband, Tongpor.

She declined to give details to police, allegedly saying they should ask Tongpor himself after capturing him.

Police investigation found that the couple allegedly sent opium to their relatives abroad many times before, he said. The method of hiding the drug in beautifully made handicrafts packed airtight with other materials helped cover smell of the opium and avoid the hats being intercepted by officials, he said.

Tongpor reportedly had two relatives living in the US and police suspect that they could extract the opium for distribution there, the officer said. Police would work with related agencies to make further arrests later, he said.

-- The Nation 2009-07-16

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 950 kilos of high-grade heroin in 2,700 packs, and 340,000 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 376 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.

"Who is wearing the party hat?"

"Who would like to sniff my hat?"

Anyone?

Edited July 16, 200916 yr by TAWP

If you want to get ahead, get a hat.

"Who is wearing the party hat?"

"Who would like to sniff my hat?"

Anyone?

sniffing(?) opium no fun i bet with that hat

PS: That post from me above with that nearly 1000 kilogram heroin seized in Tachilek /Ciang Rai is from http://www.pattayatoday.net/

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 950 kilos of high-grade heroin in 2,700 packs, and 340,000 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 376 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.

Now all they need to do is find the other 224 tones!!! well done.

....town of Mong Hsat, south of Tachilek

the only towns south of Tachilek are Thai towns. Perhaps they meant east/southeast of Tachilek.

The 'hat trick' is an old one. For a long time the Hmong were sending blankets that were soaked in something containing the opium. When the blankets arrived in the US, they were soaked in something to extract the heroin. It took customs and DEA at the time a while to figure it all out. Sniffer dogs were going crazy, but all the inspectors found were blankets!