Smuggled Cattle Transiting Through Myanmar

Smuggled Cattle Transiting Through Myanmar

I am posting this as I imagine the countless cattle currently trekking along Zaka Hussein Road in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Nowadays, when people in Myanmar see herds of cattle being transported by large trucks on the highways, everyone knows: "Ah, they’re headed to China again." However, the story of where these cattle originate and how they reach the border is as intriguing as a movie plot.

In reality, these are not just local cattle. Many are "guest cattle" that have crossed the borders from India and Bangladesh. Entering through the western border via towns like Tamu and Kalay, these massive herds cross through central Myanmar, bypass the roads near the waterfalls in Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), and head toward the Muse border in Northern Shan State. We refer to this as the "Cattle Route."

The primary challenges on this smuggling route are the "checkpoints." Since there are many gates on the main highways, smugglers rely more on forest trails. They drive the cattle during the late hours of the night using village-to-village paths and mountain bypasses. Sometimes, the cattle are loaded onto large trucks and disguised as ordinary goods.

The flow of money behind this business is significant. The route only operates smoothly through "understandings" with local authorities and armed groups. Consequently, the world of "cattle smuggling" is as dangerous as it is highly profitable.

However, there are serious concerns behind these activities. Illegal transit can spread animal diseases, and the nation loses out on tax revenue that a rightful people's government should receive. In the future, a systematic process should be allowed with a formal cross-border tax of about 5%.

Currently, thousands of cattle remain stuck in camps around Muse and near the 105-Mile Trade Zone, unable to cross into China. As their stay at the border stretches on, traders face the possibility of massive losses due to the cattle starving, losing weight, and falling ill.

Even if they attempt to bypass the fences, the Chinese border is now equipped with newly installed Thermal Cameras. Since these cameras can detect heat signatures from a range of 25 to 48 kilometers, the likelihood of being caught while attempting to sneak across has increased significantly.

While a cow in Myanmar is estimated to be worth between 2.5 to 3.5 million Kyats, successfully transporting it to the Chinese side can fetch over 6 million Kyats. However, due to current military instability and tightened border security, I believe the business is now closer to a loss than a profit.

The exact routes could potentially be tracked by attaching GPS devices to the cattle's collars.

Aung Myo Lwin (Agga)