Myanmar drug lord Norkham, 44, was deported to China from Vientiane's Wattay International Airport yesterday, where he faces prosecution for murder and drug-related crimes.
The Shan drug baron was arrested on April 25 in Mom village, Tonpheung district, Bokeo province, along with two Lao nationals, where it is believed he was about to negotiate a narcotics sale with other drug dealers.
Officials put Mr Norkham ( centre ) on a plane to China after a press conference at Wattay International Airport.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Director General of the General Police Department, Brigadier General Sysavath Keomalavong, said “Mr Norkham is a key figure in disturbing the peace along the borders of Laos, China, Thailand and Myanmar.”
“He's a big boss among major drug dealers and manufacturers within the Golden Triangle. He's also involved with the bandits who fired on Chinese boats in the Mekong River killing 13 people on October 5 last year,” Brig Gen Sysavath said prior to Mr Norkham's departure for China.
The press conference reported that last month's arrest was a major achievement and credit was due to cooperation in information sharing between the Lao and Chinese police and security forces. Credit was also due to the Lao authorities who arrested the trio and prevented them from carrying out their plans.
The Chinese government sent an official request to Laos asking that Mr Norkham be handed over for prosecution in China. Lao officials agreed to the request and passed him on to their Chinese counterparts.
Attending the press conference were Lao Public Security Minister Thongbanh Seng-aphone, a representative of China's Ministry of State Security Mr Liu Yue Jin, and officials from both sides.
“We celebrate the handing over of Mr Norkham, as it represents strong cooperation between Laos' Ministry of Public Security and China's Ministry of State Security and the two countries,” Brig Gen Sysavath said.
Mr Norkham was involved with a network that was the target of the Chinese authorities, he added.
“China has information and evidence that implicates Mr Norkham as being the boss of a gang of bandits that killed Chinese men on a freighter last year. Chinese officials can now arrest two suspects involved in the incident and investigate matters related to Mr Norkham.”
Brig Gen Sysavath said that if anyone has any further information about Mr Norkham, they should contact the Chinese government directly.
