Drug production and trafficking have reached alarming levels in the notorious “Golden Triangle,
” a region where the borders of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand converge. According to a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an unprecedented 236 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized last year in East and Southeast Asia, signifying a 24 percent surge in narcotics interception compared to the previous year.
This surge in drug-related activities has brought significant attention to the illicit trade flourishing in the Golden Triangle area. Thailand made history by confiscating over 100 tonnes of methamphetamine within one year, with a total interdiction of 130 tonnes. The UNODC highlights that despite these large seizures, a considerable amount of methamphetamine continues to flood the market.
Benedikt Hofmann, acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at UNODC, emphasized this concerning trend stating, “
The 236 tons represent only the amount seized; much more methamphetamine is actually reaching the market.” He further noted that while law enforcement efforts have led to these seizures, there is an alarming rise in both production and trafficking activities originating from Myanmar’s Shan State within Laos and Cambodia.
As transnational drug syndicates operating across East and Southeast Asia exhibit remarkable adaptability to evade regional law enforcement crackdowns, concerns grow over their expanding reach. The ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar since mid-2021 has created fertile ground for illicit drug operations to thrive further. The fallout from Myanmar’s political turmoil has not only impacted neighboring regions but also extended into South Asia, particularly affecting Northeast India as highlighted in the report.
Inshik Sim, lead analyst for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at UNODC, pointed out that countries adjacent to Myanmar are now pivotal routes for trafficking drugs manufactured in the Golden Triangle. Sim mentioned how trafficking routes connecting Cambodia with Myanmar through Laos PDR have expanded rapidly. Additionally, maritime trafficking corridors linking Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have gained prominence with Sabah in Malaysia emerging as a critical transit point.
The advancements in technology have enabled evolving transnational organized crime groups based in East and Southeast Asia to enhance their operations along various stages of the drug supply chain. This convergence with other criminal activities poses complex challenges for authorities combating this illicit trade network.
Moreover, beyond just interceptions and seizures of narcotics supply chains lie deeper concerns about substance abuse patterns among different age groups within affected nations. While most countries report an overall uptick in methamphetamine and ketamine usage rates, some nations observe a shift towards older demographics engaging in drug consumption.
Hofmann stressed that targeted prevention campaigns may be contributing to declining numbers of younger drug users seeking treatment but emphasized that sustained investment is crucial for bolstering prevention strategies alongside supply reduction efforts aimed at curbing this escalating crisis gripping the region.
