A 12-wheeled truck carrying jade stones was stopped and seized in Kyaukme town of Shan State (North) at about 7 am on Tuesday, but some members of the public have questioned how such a jade-laden truck had managed to passed through without being inspected.
        Acting on a tip-off, the authorities stopped the truck when it arrived at Oriental Toll Gate in Kyaukme en route from Mandalay to Muse.
        "It is true that the truck was seized at Oriental Toll Gate in Kyaukme. For the time being, we are measuring the weight of jade stones. There were hidden under paper boxes," said an official on duty from Kyaukme Township Police Station.
        The 12-wheeled FUSO truck carrying a large number of jade stones was driven by Toe Nanda Aung (aka) Ei Toe, aged 23.
        "Jades were systematically hidden in the 12-wheeled truck. It was seized in Kyaukme. Jades were under paper boxes on the floor. The truck managed to pass through several toll gates. The weight of the truck exceed levels way above normal. How did it pass through Mandalay 16th Mile Toll Gate? It is questionable," said Tin Maung Thein, a social work activist from Kyaukme.
        A total of 244 jade pieces in various sizes were seized from the truck, and a case has been opened at Kyaukme Township Police Station.