There are several factors which work to keep fugitive drug trafficker Wei Hseuh-kang from his rightful place behind bars, writes MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
Security conscious Wei Hseuh-kang won't be happy after he finds out that some of his secrets had been revealed by Perspective. This will certainly apply to his brothers, Bang Ron and those who are protecting them.
Under the headline ''Target Information,'' Wei's mugshot and personal information appears on the US Department of State website, along with 44 other major global drug traffickers. A reward of up to $5 million is offered for information leading to the arrest or conviction of some of those on the list. The bounty for Wei Hseuh-kang is up to $2 million.
On the same web page are photos of 26 more drug traffickers who have already been brought to justice, some with a note under their mugshot saying: ''Reward Paid.''
Yang Wan-Hsuan, aka Lao Tai, aka Tin Maung Win, is one of these. He was a confidential secretary to the late drug baron Chang Chi-fu, better known as Khun Sa, once the biggest heroin trafficker in the Golden Triangle. Lao Tai was responsible for Khun Sa's financial activities. He was indicted in the Eastern District of New York for attempted conspiracy to import heroin into the United States and distribution of heroin.
Prior to his arrest, the US Department of State announced a reward of up to $2 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in the United States of Lao Tai.
He was arrested in Chiang Mai on January 10, 2001 and extradited to the US, where he was sentenced to five years imprisonment. After having time deducted for a good behaviour, Lao Tai was released in 2005.
Some people who helped put him behind bars were surprised to learn he was spotted in Chiang Mai not long ago. These individuals are still complaining that the reward paid was just a fraction of $2 million.
A Thai officer involved in the capture of Lao Tai said that some official documents and press reports had omitted the two vital words ''up to,'' contributing to a misunderstanding.
''We were told that Lao Tai was a very important target, so we expected to get something very close to the $2 million. After he was captured we were told that Lao Tai was 'not so important' anymore. This is something discouraging. We expected to receive much more,'' the officer said.
He suggested that the amount of reward should be fixed in order that the informant would know the exact sum.
''Now it is very tricky. No one will come forward to blow the whistle on a big drug trafficker,'' the officer said.
This was also the opinion of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) source who, instead of contacting the authorities, opted to reveal Wei's secrets to Perspective (see main story.)
He added: ''Many UWSA members are against drugs and they don't like what Wei is doing. I hope that some actions will be taken against him and his associates after the story is published. Some of my colleagues would like to see Wei and others brought to justice.''
Misunderstandings over the reward are only one reason why Wei has been able to operate freely until this day. According to a diplomat stationed in Bangkok, foreign intelligence services might know the location of Wei's bunker and other related information.
''Technically, to hit it with a missile, for example, would be no problem, but it is highly unlikely that will happen because of political reasons. Wei's compound is located only about 20 kilometres from the Chinese border. Any attack would create a serious incident between the attacking country and the People's Republic of China , and it would have also far-reaching effects for the whole region,'' the diplomat said.
According to the another source, a few years ago a senior Chinese intelligence officer met Wei and warned him to stop the drug business or to face serious consequences. Of course, Wei didn't stop and nothing happened to him either. The Chinese officer retired shortly after delivering the message to him.
The foreign diplomat said that maybe no one really wants to arrest Wei because he might incriminate many people, some holding high government or business positions in other countries, including Thailand. Some Thai officials agreed with this assessment.
An important reason why the UWSA leaders don't want to touch him is that he contributes a large amount of money to the Wa State economy through his Hong Pang Group (see related story).
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