DKBA leader hits back at Thai government’s drug claims
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army leader, General Saw Ler Pwe responded to allegations by the Thai government that he is a major drug dealer by holding a press conference with 42 Thai, Burmese and exiled journalists in the Myawaddy Township area close to Thai Burma border.
General Saw Ler Pwe [also known as Na Khan Mway] denied repeated accusations made by the Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubamrung that he is a regional drug kingpin.
Speaking to the reporters, General Saw Ler Pwe said.
“I would like to say that the Thai government is making accusations without any concrete evidence. They are just looking for faults that I don’t have.”
Responding to questions from the media General Saw Ler Pwe explained his wealth was not made by drug money. General Saw Ler Pwe pointed out to the journalists that he made his money from development projects and his income generations came from taxing from companies, mining businesses, logging and from running cross border trade gates.
Earlier this week Thailand’s Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was reported as saying she wants Thai police to follow the rule of law when chasing the DKBA’s General Saw Ler Pwe.
The Thai government announced on April 20, that the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) led by Deputy Prime Minister, Chalerm Yubumrung was offering 12 million baht (US $388,000) reward for the capture of 25 of the country’s most-wanted drug dealers that included General Saw Ler Pwe in the list.
