Drug Police Deputy Chief Aung Kyaw Thu, Temporarily Assigned in Taunggyi Under 100-Day Plan, Demands 100 Million Kyats from Those Carrying 4 Bottles of Kathawnt

Mekong, July 4 Deputy Police Chief Aung Kyaw Thu of the drug suppression unit, who is temporarily assigned in Taunggyi, Shan State South, under the military council's 100-day plan, demanded 100 million kyats from individuals carrying four bottles of Kathawnt (opium poppy extract) and settled the case without filing charges, according to sources. According to sources, on July 2, near Tam San Cave on the Hopone-Taunggyi road, a team led by Deputy Police Chief Aung Kyaw Thu inspected a private vehicle carrying four bottles of Kathawnt (1 liter each). It is said that they demanded 100 million kyats, stating that they would release the individuals without filing charges if the money was paid. Sources said that the four young men carrying the four bottles of Kathawnt are individuals associated with armed groups. It is understood that Deputy Police Chief Aung Kyaw Thu is a member of the drug suppression unit in Kon Hein Township, who is serving concurrently in Taunggyi under the military council's 100-day plan. Furthermore, it is reported that he has previously been rumored in the region to have a habit of demanding exorbitant sums of money from those involved in drug-related cases in Kon Hein and Nam San townships.