Thai authorities have been warned to prepare for an influx of illicit drugs as traffickers in Burma are anxious to rush top-grade heroin to international markets offering record-high prices, a Shan rebel leader said. Lt-Col Kornchuen, leader of the Shan State Army’s Kengtung Front, said heroin produced from last year’s quality opium crop was fetching the highest prices in 10 years. A measure of 1.6 kilogrammes was selling at 230,000-250,000 baht, he said.

“I believe as much, or more, heroin than usual will be shipped through Thailand on the way to international markets. And the heroin will be of good quality, with a high purity percentage,” he said.

Lt-Col Kornchuen gave the warning at the recent celebration of Shan National Day at Loi Kaw Wan in Burma, opposite Chiang Rai’s Mae Fa Luang district.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Third Army said they were bracing for trouble.

Janya Saramatcha, the ONCB’s Region 5 director, said China had given advance notice of its decision to launch a major crackdown on narcotics, especially in areas bordering Burma and Laos.

China’s move – sparked by growing rates of HIV/Aids and drug addiction there – is expected to drive drug traffickers to concentrate on international smuggling routes through Thailand instead.

Lt-Col Kornchuen said clandestine drug factories along the Thai-Burmese border normally begin producing opium derivatives this month, after farmers harvest their crops in December and January.

Most factories that produce heroin also produce methamphetamine and “ice”, a crystal form of methamphetamine.

Traffickers now insist buyers take heroin as well as yaa baa, as methamphetamine is locally known, he said.

About 10 kilogrammes of raw opium is needed to produce one kilogramme of refined heroin.

The ONCB estimates that some 50 tonnes of raw opium was made available for heroin production last year. The high yield was due to the favourable weather conditions although the cultivated area was smaller than in the previous year, sources noted.

The ONCB said it had been working closely with the Thai army to prevent an influx of narcotics into the country. Authorities launched intensive drug suppression operations along the Burmese and Lao borders, while keeping a close eye on foreigners from Taiwan and Japan. The rising demand for “ice” in both Taiwan and Japan is not being met at the moment, said Mr Janya.

Third Army commander Lt-Gen Chiradet Kacharat said his units, together with the ONCB and police, had set up checkpoints in 17 northern provinces to curb drug trafficking across the border.

The interim government has instructed both the ONCB and the Third Army not to lower their guard. For this reason, both agencies will also employ full-scale anti-narcotics measures against drug traffickers, Lt-Gen Chiradet said.

Lt-Col Kornchuen of the Shan State Army (SSA) added that his troops would always support the drug suppression operations of the Thai authorities.

The SSA earlier arrested several suspected drug traffickers and handed them over to the Thai army, he said.

Meanwhile, an ONCB source said the war on drugs during the Thaksin government had left a legacy of legal dilemmas.

Authorities were unable to seize assets of suspects who were arrested during the crackdowns because many were acquitted for lack of evidence, the source said.