Thai government. He jumped bail, however, and his Thai citizenship was later revoked in 2001. Wei has since downsized his involvement in drug trafficking, partly in response to his wanted status by the United States. As a business tycoon In 1998, Wei founded the Hong Pang Group with the money he had amassed from his time as a drug trafficker, as well as money he had gained by taking advantage of the privileges offered in the ceasefire deal by General Khin Nyunt. The Hong Pang Group owns and controls a multitude of businesses in agriculture, commerce, construction, distilleries, electronics and communications, mining, and petroleum. The Hong Pang Group is based in Pangkham and has regional offices in Yangon, Mandalay, Lashio, Tachilek, and Mawlamyine. A fire in Pangkham on 18 April 2009 destroyed the largest petrol station in the city and over 10,000 tons of teak in a warehouse; both buildings belonged to Wei. Following the 2015 jade mine disaster in Hpakant, Kachin State, the London-based NGO Global Witness accused Wei of exploiting locals and illegally funding mining operations in the area. This claim however, could not be verified or denied by Wei himself, as he was still in hiding. Notes References External links WEI Hsueh Kang, United Wa State Army, Financial Network US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, November 2008 The Wa Nation TIME Asia, 16 December 2002 Burma's Drug Kings TIME Asia, 16 December 2002 How many drug lords are in Myanmar? People's Daily 2005 1952 births People from Yunnan Wei Hsueh-kang Burmese people of Chinese descent Living people Chinese drug traffickers Burmese warlords