Two rubber-laden trucks seized by SAC in eastern Shan State

Mekong, September 29 Two trucks carrying rubber, cultivated in eastern Shan State and transported to Tachilekh for sale, have been seized by the State Administration Council (SAC) at the entrance to Tachilekh city. The SAC stated that they would file a case under Article 8 of the Export-Import Law, citing instructions from the regional minister, causing hardship for rubber farmers in Myintone Township, according to rubber farmers and their associates. The rubber was cultivated in Myintone Township and departed from Myintone on September 23 to be sold at rubber factories in Tachilekh city. The trucks were seized on the night of September 25 by a group led by the SAC, after passing the Huayeh checkpoint at the entrance to Tachilekh city, said an associate of the farmers. "The rubber is being transported from Myintone to Tachilekh. It is for sale at factories in Tachilekh. If the price is not yet good, we planned to store it temporarily in Tachilekh," he said. "It has not even reached the border. It was seized right at the city entrance. This is purely a product cultivated in the region." Although the drivers of the two rubber-laden trucks seized on the night of September 25 were released on bail, they were re-arrested on the evening of September 28, with the SAC stating that a case would be filed under Article 8 of the Export-Import Law. Associates said the SAC claimed the regional minister had instructed them to file the case under this law. Rubber produced in the Myintone region has been regularly transported and sold to rubber factories in Tachilekh city every year without incident. The seizure of locally grown products and the threat of prosecution under a major law have caused considerable distress to the farmers, said associates of the farmers. "We have never sold to the other side (Thailand) before. The people here (rubber farmers) do not have the means to travel. Farmers can only sell in Tachilekh. Where else can they sell? We have documentation from previous sales. We also have certificates from the relevant authorities stating that it is a local product. Even with all this, if it is seized, farmers do not know how they will make a living," he said. The seized rubber belongs to about five farmers and is valued at approximately 200 million kyats (about $95,000 USD). The farmers are facing significant difficulties as the rubber, trucks, and drivers are all currently detained. The rubber farmers are requesting that the regional minister be informed of the situation and provide assistance based on the facts. #MeKongNews #Tachilekh #EasternShanState #RubberFactory #Rubber #Myintone