Burma Begins Crackdown on Illegal Car Trade

VOA News
Voice of America
November 11, 2004

Burma's military government has begun a crackdown on the country's illegal car trade, ordering the owners of an estimated 30,000 unregistered vehicles to relinquish their automobiles to police stations.

A police official, Director-General Khin Yee, says people who do so will avoid legal action and interrogation.

News reports say the crackdown could be part of Rangoon's power struggle against former allies of ousted Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

He allegedly controlled operations that brought luxury cars from China and Thailand into Burma, where they were sold at a small percentage of their regular cost.

Some owners of illegal cars are reportedly dismantling their vehicles so they can sell spare parts.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.