Myanmar junta hands over triad casino 'warlords' to China
Myanmar's military junta has handed over three Triad warlords to Chinese authorities, BBC reports.
Until recently, Bai Suocheng, Wei Chaoren and Liu Zhengxiang administered Lao Kam township in Myanmar's semi-lawless Shan state as their private fiefdom. But when ethnic rebels invaded the city, they had to flee.
Under the rule of the Triads, Lauking transformed from a sleepy hinterland to a casino hub and became a hotspot for criminal activity, especially fraud.
In November, rebel groups raided Laukkaing, freeing trafficked workers and arresting family members of the ruling triad. At this point, the country's military junta troops reportedly laid down their weapons and withdrew.
According to the United Nations, hundreds of thousands of people are "smuggled" into such centers across Southeast Asia.
Fraud Factory
In return for their support for Myanmar's military junta, the three warlords enjoy near-autonomy in the region, which has long been a stronghold of ethnic rebel groups. Laukkaing's fraud factories generated billions of dollars in revenue for the military junta and the Triads.
The rebels, known as the Three Brothers Alliance (TBA), are an alliance between the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army.
Lakkaing marks a decisive victory for the TBA, which has captured at least 35 towns since the insurgency began in October, Reuters reported.
Bai, Wei and Liu were intercepted by junta troops as they fled Lao Jin in November, according to rebel accounts reported by Chinese state media at the time.
Beijing turns against military government
Until 2009, Lao Cai was controlled by local warlord and rebel commander Peng Jiasheng. However, the previous military government wanted to install allies in lawless areas. It supported a coup against Peng by Peng's right-hand man Bai.
Peng was exiled to China, and in return for his loyalty to the government, Bai was given the freedom to profit from the casino, which attracted Chinese tourists from across the border.
He became chairman of the larger Kokang autonomous region and leader of five mafia families, including those headed by Wei and Liu. Together they combat money laundering and the areas of drug and human trafficking.
Beijing became concerned about fraud hubs and casinos so close to the border and in November issued arrest warrants for several operators. This may have been the trigger for the rebel attack on Lao Cai.
The uprising could not have happened so close to the border without China's approval.
"Major Crime"
In December last year, Chinese authorities offered rewards for the capture of Bai, Wei, Liu and others and labeled them "ringleaders." That leaves the embattled junta with no choice but to hand it over to regional superpowers.
For a long time, multiple criminal gangs in northern Myanmar... have openly organized armed fraud gangs to commit fraud crimes against Chinese citizens. "China's Ministry of Public Security said on Tuesday, BBC reported. .
The Ministry of Public Security has charged three gangland warlords with "multiple serious violent crimes" including murder, assault and unlawful imprisonment.
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Source: www.casino.org
