He has been little known outside the country until he was named by a New York court announcement on 24 January as one of the eight senior Wa leaders being indicted on charges of importing heroin and methamphetamine into the United States.

According to a source who claims to have known him since 1979, Bao Huaqiang (Pao Hua Chiang), about 55, is a paternal cousin to the Wa president Bao Youxiang (Pao Yu Hsiang). “He speaks Wa, Shan and Chinese,” said the source, “although he looks and speaks more Chinese than Wa.”

Bao was a company commander in the Communist Party of Burma’s 4048th Battalion back then. In 2001-2003, he became the mayor of Manghseng. He has been serving as Commander of Monghpen (First Headquarters Security Regiment), one of the UN’s target alternative development townships, since the removal of his other cousin, Bao Youhua (Pao Yu Hua), following charges on multiple offenses, including drug addiction, wanton killings and unauthorized setting up of refineries. (Druglord gets the chop, 16 January 2004)

Others indicted by the New York court are Bao Youri (Pao Yuyi), Bao Youliang (Pao Yu Liang), Wei Xuelong (Wei Hsueh Lung), Wei Hsueh Kang (Wei Xuegaing) and Wei Xueying (Wei Hsueh Ying).

Bao Huaqiang also doubles as deputy to Wei Xuelong, “Minister of Trade”, according to a Wa source on the border.