Drug Elimination Museum vividly illustrates Myanmar's firm national resolve to totally eliminate narcotic drugs 

The Museum will go down in history as concrete landmark reflecting national efforts to combat narcotic drugs

Yangon, 26 June - A ceremony to open the Drug Elimination Museum in Kamayut Township was held this morning at the museum, hailing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The museum was built in accord with the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe to enable the entire people to understand the danger of narcotic drugs which is a menace to entire mankind and to enable them to stay away from the drugs and the world nations to know the true endeavours of Myanmar to wipe out the drugs throughout the successive eras. 

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt delivered an address.

  He said: I would like to greet you by wishing all of you good health and well-being and wishing that all of you may be able to bring about the total elimination of the scourge of narcotic drugs from the earth by performing the duty assigned to you in implementing this noble task. First of all, I would like to proclaim that today is a red-letter day for the country as well as for the entire people of Myanmar as this grandiose and very elegant Drug Elimination Museum, which the entire nation is proud of, has been successfully constructed and has been ceremoniously opened. 

It is all the more significant since this auspicious and unique ceremony coincides with the commemoration of the International Day Against Narcotic Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It is our sincere belief that this auspicious event will also benefit the entire mankind. This Drug Elimination Museum will go down in history as a concrete landmark which will truly reflect the history of Myanmar's concerted national efforts to combat narcotic drugs under the correct leadership of Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and through the co-operation among the Government, the leaders of the national races, the entire people, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and its task forces. 

Moreover, the Museum will record faithfully and show vividly how opium and opium cultivation was introduced into the nation by colonialists, how the acts of unscrupulous elements who, with political motives, exacerbated the situation and how, under the guidance of the successive Governments, the people of Myanmar has been fighting continuously with a view to permanently eradicating the dark shadow of narcotic drugs with great sacrifice including loss of life and limb. All these historical facts will be preserved in the exhibits in the Museum. In particular, with the re-establishment of peace and national reconsolidation in the country, which constitute the historic achievement of the State Peace and Development Council, the positive conditions for the eradication of narcotic drugs that has resulted from the concerted efforts of the Government, leaders of the national races and the local populace have now been recorded in this Museum.

  If we look back at the history of Myanmar's narcotic drugs problem, there are concrete evidences that opium poppy cultivation was introduced by the colonialists to groups of honest and simple-minded national races living in remote corners of the country while Myanmar was under the colonial rule. Introduction of opium to East Asia, including Myanmar, is indeed a dark page in the history of mankind and it is an undeniable historical truth that our people as well as the people of the world have been suffering bitterly from this problem.

  The Opium Wars clearly demonstrated that narcotic drugs were used as a powerful weapon during the colonial rule for nefarious motives. After the independence of Myanmar, the unscrupulous elements attempted to prolong the twin legacies of the colonialism  internal armed insurgency and cultivation and production of opium while providing encouragement to external intervention. Sub-sequently, poppy cultivation evolved into the production of more sophisticated narcotic drugs such as heroin. The proof of these undeniable historical facts can be seen in the Museum's exhibits. 

The endeavours of the successive governments from ancient Myanmar Kings to the present government to combat the scourge of narcotic drugs as a national responsibility throughout history can be also found in this Museum. It will be recalled that lots of members of the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) have sacrificed their lives during the military operations such as Sinbyushin, Yan Gyi Aung; Bayint Naung; Mekong; Mohein as well as during the operations launched by the present Tatmadaw Government in the whole of Shan State and remote border areas for the benefit of mankind. Thousands also lost their eyes and limbs.

  Under the operations Melone; Paukpan; Hninpan, Taunghtaitpan, HaymaOo, Ngayepan, poppy fields were destroyed. More-over, significant number of poppy fields were destroyed by aerial spraying during operation Taungyanshin. At present, narcotics suppression efforts are being implemented together with the endeavours for uplifting of the living standards of the national races in the border areas as well as educating and persuading the national races so that they will whole-heartedly cooperate and participate in the elimination of poppy cultivation. As can be seen, great achievement has been accomplished in these endeavours. Regrettably, the achievements made through the active participation of the leaders of the national races and the populace of the regions under the leadership of the Government to achieve the development of the regions and to eliminate poppy cultivation have been ignored and the Myanmar people were subjected continuously to various unfounded allegations over the last decade. The drug problem in Myanmar is indeed a very complex and delicate issue since it is linked not only to the political, social and 

economic aspects of the nation but it also involves the sincere national races in border areas which lagged behind in development. Therefore, the problem must necessarily be tackled with patience and understanding and will necessitate a certain amount of time, given the complexity of the issue. Furthermore, elimination of drugs in Myanmar is not only connected with peace and national unity of the country but also with regional development and upgrading of education, health and social life of the national races.

  The whole-hearted cooperation of the local populace can be further enhanced only when regional development and economic prosperity is accompanied by higher education and health standards resulting in the development of knowledge and correct outlook of the national races. Because the Government and national races leaders fully appreciate this fact, they are making tireless efforts for the development of the border areas and the national races by creating favorable conditions for development, such as roads, bridges, dams and reservoirs, and projects for energy and communications; for economic progress through crop-substitution, livestock breeding and economic development plans; and for social development through improvement of education, health care and information foundations of the people. 

At the same time, special emphasis is devoted in these efforts on the strengthening of national solidarity. As efforts for the elimination of narcotic drugs is being implemented in parallel with endeavours for development, the national races now have faith and confidence in the goodwill of the Government and are now actively participating not only in development works of their respective regions but also in the fight against drugs. 

As a concrete result of these cooperative efforts, Mong La region in eastern Shan State was successfully declared as opium-free zone in April 1997. The positive repercussions of this achievement are also felt by Kokang and Wa regions. Consequently, the leaders of national groups together with local people are enthusiastically taking part in efforts for total eradication of opium production in their respective regions by the year 2005. 

As a result, series of crop-substitution economic measures are now being undertaken in these regions. With the conscious cooperation of the nation races, it has become more and more evident that the prospects for attaining the objective of eliminating narcotic drugs will be enhanced if the State is able to provide the necessary inputs to these regions adequately. Therefore, in accordance with the guidance given by the Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, the decision was made to implement a 1999-2000 to 2013-2014 15-year master plan for total elimination of narcotic drugs, relying mainly on our own resources.

  The 15-year master plan consists of five working methodologies, namely, eradication of drug production, demand reduction, enforcement, mobilization of people's participation and international cooperation. The drug menace is not only a problem specific to any single country. Nor can it be solved by efforts of any single nation. Moreover, neither can it be solved by a country being isolated or denied cooperation. The events in the world have already demonstrated that it cannot be solved by pointing fingers or making allegations against an individual or a nation. Therefore, I wish to sincerely state that it is high time for all nations of the world to cooperate with mutual understanding to find a solution to this problem.

  For its part, the Union of Myanmar, with or without the international community's assistance, is firmly resolved to strive with our own resources for the total elimination of drugs in the country within 15 years. Additionally, Myanmar, being a member of the family of nations, will continue to cooperate with the United Nations organizations, countries in the region, ASEAN member countries as well as those countries that have constructive stance toward Myanmar in combating this menace to mankind. 

At the same time, I wish to say that the assistance and cooperation of friendly countries and the United Nations organizations will certainly speed up the momentum of Myanmar's efforts in eliminating narcotic drugs. Today's grand opening of the Drug Elimination Museum has vividly illustrated our firm national resolve to totally eliminate narcotic drugs. The Drug Elimination Museum will always stand as a record and a reminder to the succeeding generations of youth the true historical events of how the national races, imbued with the spirit of national unity and the Union Spirit, had fought against narcotic drugs which is the common enemy of all national races. 

The Museum was constructed at a total cost of over 820 million Kyats, of which 514 million Kyats was contributed by the State as capital, 207 million Kyats by various ministries and the Yangon City Development Committee, and 100 million Kyats by the well-wishers from the public. This priceless historical landmark which is also a source of national pride would not have been possible without the support and assistance of various ministries and the contribution and valuable advice and services of the artists and sculptors, Myanmar handicraftsmen, and experts from social organizations.

  In conclusion; he said: 

- On behalf of the Government of the Union of Myanmar, I wish to place on record and express our sincere appreciation for the physical and intellectual inputs made by departmental personnel concerned, technicians, well-wishers from social organizations, artists, sculptors, craftsmen, traditional artistic craftsmen, as well as to those who have given financial, modern electronic equipment and technical support and assistance to make the opening of this historical Drug Elimination Museum possible; 

- Moreover, it is our hope that the display of booths and showrooms of the Drug Elimination Museum will enhance the correct outlook, thinking and awareness among the Myanmar youth; and 

- In closing, I wish to re-affirm our commitment that, in accordance with the aims and objectives of this Museum, the people of the Union of Myanmar will eradicate narcotic drugs as a national undertaking under the leadership of the Government to free the entire mankind from the narcotic drugs menace. 

Also present were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, State Peace and Development Council Member Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun, ministers, members of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee the Mayor, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, deputy ministers, the Vice-Mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, the secretary of CCDAC and the Work Committee members, ambassadors, charge d' affaires, military attaches and diplomats of foreign missions in Myanmar, officials of the UN agencies, local and foreign journalists, heads of department of the Ministry of Home Affairs, senior police officers, local authorities, members of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (Yangon Division), Myanmar Language Commission, Myanmar Historical Commission, Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Women's Entrepreneurs Association, Myanmar Writers and Journalist Association, Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon, Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Artists and Artisans Asiayon, Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association and Myanmar Border Areas Development Association, officials of No 3 Basic Education Department, township education officers, school heads, teachers and students of Kamayut, Kyimyindine and Sangyoung townships in Yangon West District, members of Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, students of Institute of Nursing, donors of the museum project and guests. Artistes and school boys and girls staged songs and dances before the start of the ceremony. 

The Secretary-1 unveiled the plaque of the museum. Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Vice-Chairman Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and member Minister at the Prime Minister's Office U Tin Win formally opened the museum. Minister Col Tin Hlaing presented commemorative gifts to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint. The Secretary-1 and party then visited the museum. 

Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Laos Mr Ly Bounkham and diplomats signed in the visitor's book. In booth 1 on the ground floor, .gem-studded painting of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and guidance on anti-drugs, oil painting of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Maung Aye meeting with national races leaders on his inspection tour in Kokang region, oil painting of opening of Namting Bridge linking Wa and Kokang regions by Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, oil painting of the Secretary-1 signing in visitors book at the opening of Laukkai Drug Elimination Museum in Kokang regions and oil painting of Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint meeting with Wa national races leaders on his inspection tour in Wa region were put on display. The world map and the maps showing the trafficking routes of heroin, marijuana and Cocaine were displayed in booth-2. In booth 3, the map showing how opium entered Myanmar and poppy were put on display.

  In booth 4, narcotic drugs control in the time of Myanmar kings and announcement on narcotic drugs by King Padon were displayed. Documentary photos on loss of lives due to the abuse of narcotic drugs put on display in booth 5.

  In booth 6, documentary photos on Kuomintang's intrusion into Myanmar and their movement, evidences and clarifications were shown. Pictures of withdrawal of Kuomintang forces and plane crash of Lieutenant Peter were displayed in booth 7 and anti-drugs endeavours from 1948 to 1962 after gaining independence in the booth-8 and anti-drugs endeavours from 1962 to 1974. In booth 9 anti-drugs endeavours from 1974 to 1988, seizures of opium refinery by the Tatmadaw, precursors, painting of Ngayepan and Taungyanshin Operations, photos and news reports of Ngayepan Operations from 1 to 8, historic photos of Senior General Than Shwe's activities in Moe Hein Operation Phase-6, historic photos of the Secretary-1's activities in Moe Hein Operation Phase-8, documentary photos and news reports of Moe Hein Operation Phase from 1 to 12, painting of Moe Hein Operation, Senior General Than Shwe's activities in Moe Hein Operation Phase-6, documentary photos of Sisiwan Tarpan battle and engagements and operations in Monkyut region and Barkyan region were displayed. 

On the first floor of the museum, painting of endeavours of drugs elimination in Myanmar was displayed. In booth 2 formation of Central Committee for Drugs Abuse Control, organizational set-up and functions were put on displayed, in booth 3 policies on narcotic drugs, in booth 4 return to the legal fold of armed groups, their locations and lists of armed groups that returned to the legal fold, in booth 5 development in Kokang region, in booth 6 documentary photos of armed groups that returned to the legal fold, in booth 7, enacting of law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances, crime and punishment, law books, notification on narcotic drugs. The booth-8 displays about the salient points of special anti-narcotic squads; the booth-9, the portraits of the Secretary-1 and ethnic leaders destroying poppy fields; the booth-10, the map of Wa region and poppy substitution crop cultivation; the booth-11, the definition of the stimulant pills, types, raw materials, trafficking routes and their danger; the booth-12, the destruction of seized drugs; the booth-13, the map of Golden Triangle region; the booth-14, Myanmar's international relations and signing of MoUs in eliminating the drugs; the booth-15, the Myanmar-US joint opium yield survey; the booth-16, the map of Mongla region; and the booth-17, the different phases of the 15-year drug elimination project. The second floor houses booths displaying the substitute crop cultivation and farming, border areas development activities, treatment of drug addicts, drug rehabilitation tasks, drug education programmes, cooperations with global nations and organizations and the activities of MNA.

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Drug traffickers get 15 years each

Yangon, 26 June - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and local police force, acting on information, searched the house of Thaung Kyi of Extended 3rd Street, Kyauk Kyi Su Ward in Bago and found 497 grams of marijuana in the kitchen on 26 August 2000. The Bago police station No 1 filed Thaung Kyi, 45 and Kyu Kyu Mar, 38, under Narcotic Drugs and Psycho-tropic Substances Law. The Bago District Court handed down fifteen years' imprisonments under Section 19 (A) on them on 8 June.

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 Senior General Than Shwe inspects Drug Elimination Museum

Yangon, 25 June - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw Road and Hanthawady Road in Kamayut Township this morning and gave guidance to the officials. Senior General Than Shwe, together with Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla and officials, arrived at the Drug Elimination Museum at 10.30 am this morning.

The Senior General and party were welcomed there by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, the Mayor, the Chief of Staff (Air), deputy ministers, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and officials of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control. In the briefing hall of the administration office, the Senior General and party heard a report by Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing on establishment of the museum with a view to getting the international community to know Myanmar's endeavours for elimination of drugs in successive years in accordance with the guidance of the Head of State, objectives of construction of the museum, the location and area of the museum, systematic implementation of the tasks for construction of the museum after formation of the work committee and sub-committees, financial matters, work done for greening of the compound of the museum, cultivation of perennial crops and flowering plants, opium- substitute crops such as tea leaf, corn, sugarcane, buckwheat and grapevine, display of exhibits at the museum and preparations for the opening of the museum on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on 26 June. In his guidance, Senior General Than Shwe said with the leadership and assistance of the government, efforts have been made for development of border areas, where opium was grown in the past, after armed groups had returned to the legal fold. Opium-substitute activities have been undertaken for eradication of narcotic drugs, he said. 

He also gave guidance on exhibiting how infrastructures for regional development, economy, education, health and social sectors have been built in the border areas by the government step by step. Next, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected documentary photos on Moe Hein Phase-6, the world map and the map showing the trafficking routes of narcotic drugs, the map showing how opium entered Myanmar, the booth on narcotic drugs control in the time of Myanmar kings, documentary photos on the Kuomintang's intrusion into Myanmar, booths on narcotic drugs and opium refineries seized by the Tatmadaw, Ngayepan and Taungyanshin Operations, the anti-drug campaign and the Tatmadaw (Air) and phases of Moe Hein Operations at the central booth on the ground floor. 

Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected paintings portraying endeavours for eradication of narcotic drugs in Myanmar, the organizational set-up of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and policies, booths on Kokang region and on destruction of opium plantations, documentary photos on armed groups' return to the legal fold, booths on developing Mongyun region, on No precursor No Drugs, on destruction of seized drugs and Golden Triangle region, documentary photos of the survey on opium plantations and opium yield survey jointly conducted by Myanmar and US, Senior General Than Shwe's ASEAN Summit documentary photos and booths on developing Mongla region and the 15-Year Narcotics Elimination Plan on the first floor.

  Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected booths of the opium-substitute crop cultivation group for eradication of drugs, the livestock breeding group, the treatment group, the rehabilitation group, the drugs education group, measures undertaken for development of border areas, Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association and the border areas development association. Senior General Than Shwe signed in the visitors' book and left there at noon.

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Message from Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 26 June 2001

Today is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Nations around the world will be observing this day with various functions. Throughout Myanmar, there will be celebrations to observe this Day, sponsored by the regional Committees for Drug Abuse Control.

  The danger of the drug problem is not that faced by lone nations, the international community has accepted the fact that it is a world wide transnational menace and that closer cooperation between nations is compulsory. In the fight against drug traffickers, a country cannot go it alone nor can a country be left out for complete success. Since Myanmar regained her independence, successive governments, up to this day, have prescribed relevant Laws and Procedures to eliminate narcotic drugs, illicit traffic, destroyed opium poppy fields, treated addicts and rehabilitation programmes have been implemented. 

The Military Government, starting from 1988, has taken on the task of eliminating narcotic drugs as a national duty and has been escalating these activities year by year. In carrying out this task of narcotic drugs elimination, the most important aspect is the development and income substitution of the opium cultivating areas. 

The Military Government is not only successful in bringing tranquillity to the country but has also made peace with armed groups of the national races and is helping in implementing self-assist projects where the cultivation of opium poppy will be substituted by the planting of other crops and livestock breeding. The Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs has been extended and all round development of the opium cultivation areas are being acted upon. For the elimination of narcotic drugs in Myanmar, a 15- Year Plan is being implemented starting from 1999-2000. 

The objective of the Plan is to totally eradicate the opium cultivation habit in 51 of the Townships of the Shan State, Kachin State, Kayah State and Chin State and narcotic abuse in the whole country. In implementing the Plan, the 5 prioritized activities are eradicating poppy cultivation, eliminating drug abuse, enforcement, organizing the local populace to participate in the activities and international relations. 

Please may I, on this day commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking urge the relevant Committees for Drug Abuse Control to assist in the full implementation of the project activities laid down by the 15- Year Narcotics Elimination Plan. Due to the addiction of narcotic drugs, the deterioration of health and the human spirit and the damage to human resources is numerous. Collection of baseline data on addicts was started in 1998 and the confirmed data for the year 1999 indicates that there are 68,683 addicts in the whole country of which most are from the 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 age groups. 

It becomes important that we need to concentrate on the students and youths to eradicate the habit of narcotics abuse among them. Furthermore, the message from the Executive Director of UNDCP designate that the motto for this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is " Sports against Drugs ". This motto urges, that by participating in sports activities, we can increase our actions in the elimination of narcotic drugs abuse.

  Sports activities will engender healthy action of body and spirit, building up of the unity of accomplishment and espirit de corps which are salient to gain achievement in the world. To gain elimination of drug abuse among the students and youths, sports fields in the Wards to Olympics standards are good training grounds for sports activities. The motto " Sports Against Drugs" should be a call to the schools, government departments, NGO's and from village, to the whole country to participate in the fight against narcotic drugs. In conclusion, may I urge the whole country on this day commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, to get fully involved in the struggle against narcotic drugs, which is a threat to the whole human race.

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Secretary-1 inspects preparations for opening of Drug Elimination Museum 

Yangon, 21 June - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected preparations for opening of the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw and Hanthawady Roads in Kamayut Township and display of booths there this evening and gave necessary instructions to officials. Accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Secretary-1 arrived at the Museum where they were welcomed by Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, ministers, deputy ministers, Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and members, chairmen and officials of the Construction Committee for Drug Elimination Museum and the exhibition committee of the Museum. First, the Secretary-1 inspected preparations for display of booths at the Museum and installation of exteria decorations. Then, the Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions to officials and left the Museum.

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Woman drug trafficker gets 12 years

Yangon, 21 June - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Lashio Special Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, searched Ma Pyone, 44, of Southern Ward in Muse, at Five Star Teashop in Lashio and arrested her together with 955 stimulant tablets bearing the letters" WY " on 7 February. She was filed under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the Lashio police station. The Lashio District Court handed down twelve years' imprisonment under Section 19 (A) on her on 21 May.

Opium possessor gets 10 years 

Yangon, 21 June - Members of local intelligence unit and Myitkyina Special Anti-Drug Squad searched the house of Ma En Byan Ja Ywe, 25, of Seikmu Village in Phakant Township and found 1.47 kilos of opium on 1 February. The Phakant police station filed her under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. The Myitkyina District Court handed down ten years' imprisonment under Section 19 (A) of the law on her on 6 April.

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Secretary-1 inspects preparations for display of exhibits at Drug Elimination Museum 

Yangon, 18 June - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected preparations for display of exhibits at Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw Road and Hanthawady Road in Kamayut this morning. The Secretary-1, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, on arrival at the museum, was welcomed by Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, the ministers, Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and Chairmen of Committee for Construction of Drug Elimination Museum and Committee for Display of Exhibits. The Secretary-1 inspected preparations for opening of the museum in detail. The Secretary-1 discussed display of exhibits and opening ceremony of the museum.

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Secretary-1 inspects arrangements for opening Drug Elimination Museum 

Yangon, 15 June - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected progress of construction work and arrangements for opening of Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw Street and Hanthawady Street in Kamayut Township this evening. Accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at the construction site of Drug Elimination Museum at 6 pm. 

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, the ministers, the deputy ministers, chairmen of various committees of the museum and officials. First, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected progress of construction work, display, documentary photos, paintings and booths of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control on the ground and first floors, displays of work committees, Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association and Border Development Association on the second floor of the museum. Then, the Secretary-1 gave instructions to officials and left there.

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Drug trafficker gets 20 years 

Yangon, 14 June - A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, searched the house of Japangyi (a) Kyaw Myint, 35, of Aungthabyay Ward in Hlegu Township at 4.30 pm on 29 May 2000. The authorities arrested him together with 114.3 grams of marijuana. Hlegu Township Police Station opened a case against him under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. Yangon North District Court handed down 20 years' imprisonment on him under Section 19 (A) of the law on 29 May, 2001.

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Drug trafficker gets prison term 

Yangon, 13 June -  A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Taunggyi special anti-drug squad, acting on information, searched Shinbaik at Hsuupyimon Restaurant near Maw Cherry bus terminal in Taunggyi and seized 30,000 stimulant tablets hidden in his bag on 4 December 2000. Action was taken against Shinbaik, 36, son of U Shan Htein of Naunghtaw Ywathit, Hsihseng Township by No 2 Taunggyi Police Station in connection with the seizure of the drugs. He was sentenced to 30 years'  imprisonment under Section 19 (A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Subtances Law by Taunggyi District Court on 30 April 2001.

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251 drug-related cases exposed in April

Yangon, 12 April-The Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department exposed 251 drug-related cases in April. The authorities seized 60. 7061 kilos of opium in 30 cases, 9. 7201 kilos of heroin in 82 cases, 1.2 kilo of morphine, 0 . 429 kilo of opium oil in 3 cases, 16. 8432 kilos of low-grade opium in 18 cases, 4. 8267 kilos of marijuana in 17 cases, 41.735 litres of Phensedyl in 4 cases, 919,371 tablets of stimulant tablets, 20.68 kilos of Ephedrine in one case, 0.049 kilo of stimulant powder in one case, 036.368 litres of Acetic Anhydride in 3 cases, 2908.4699 litres of chemical liquid in four cases, 6.5 kilos of chemical powder, 31 cases for failure to register and three other cases. Action was taken against 355 persons 280 men and 75 women' in connection with 251 drug-related cases in April.

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 Drug trafficker gets prison term 

Yangon, 12 June-A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Yangon special anti-drug squad, acting information, searched the house of Htwe Nyunt in Ward 20, Dagon Myo Thit (South) on 21 May and seized 5.88 Kilograms of marijuana. Dagon Myo Thit (South) Police Force filed Htwe Nyunt, 54, son of U Pho Wai, No 884, 4th Street, Masoyein Ward, Pyinmana under section 15/ 19 (A) of Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Law. On 24 May, Yangon East District Court handed down five years' imprisonment under Section 15 and twenty years' imprisonment under section 19 (A) on Htwe Nyunt, to serve concurrently.

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Yangon, 1 June - Tachilek District Court punished two narcotic drug producers giving them prison terms on 3 April this year. A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Tachilek Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, on 15 August 2000, searched the house of Daw Nan Hla of Pahsatwanli Village, Tachilek Township, and seized 17,330 stimulant tablets, 4.8 kilos of Ephedrine crystal, one kilo of caffeine powder and 0.5 kilo of colouring powder. Action was taken against Daw Nan Hla, 44, daughter of U Sai Nwe of Pahsatwanli Village, Tachilek Township, and Sai Moun Kham, 24, son of U Nwe Kat under Section 15/16(B)/19(A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. Tachilek District Court heard the case and sentenced the two to 10 years imprisonment each under Section 16 (B) and 20 years imprisonment each under Section 19(A) to serve separately.

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Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspects construction of Drug Elimination Museum

Yangon, 1 June-Secretary - 1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected progress of construction work of the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady Road and Kyundaw Road in Kamayut Township this evening.

The Secretary-1, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at the construction site at 5.15 pm today.

They were welcomed there by ministers, chairmen and officials of Committee for Construction of the Museum and work committees. First, the Secretary-1 inspected sculptures and paintings exhibited at the booth of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control on the ground floor and first floor, and arrangements for the opening of booths of Working Committees, Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association and Border Area Development Association on the second floor. Officials concerned conducted the Secretary-1 around the museum.

The Secretary-1 inspected landscaping work in the museum compound and gave necessary instructions. The Secretary-1 and party left there in the evening.

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