Drug Lord Lao Ta Sai Lee Released, Performs Ethnic Purification Ceremony
Drug lord Lao Ta Sai Lee, 86, returned to his village in Chiang Mai on August 14 following a royal pardon after decades in prison for major trafficking operations. His family performed a traditional Lisu purification ceremony as police esta
On August 18, it was reported that following Lao Ta Sai Lee's royal pardon and release on August 14, his relatives collected him from prison and brought him home to Huay Sam village, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai. Journalists attempting to cover his return were denied access by family members and villagers, as Lao Ta Sai Lee wished to spend time with his family after his release. The family conducted a traditional Lisu ceremony, binding his wrist and performing a ritual to purify evil from his person, in keeping with their ethnic customs. Police from Mae Ai Station, local rangers, and army personnel jointly established weapons checkpoints at the village entrance to screen people entering and leaving, while maintaining normal security patrols outside the village. Officials confirmed that Lao Ta Sai Lee, 86, the nation's most notorious drug trafficker, was released following a royal pardon and all legal procedures have been completed.
