Drug economy in the Golden Triangle revived by the Burmese crisis

2024-11-23 17:00:00
Displaced people working in illegal poppy fields to earn a living during fighting between the Myanmar military and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) in Moe Bye in Pekon township, on the border of Karen State and southern Shan State. February 26, 2024 STR / AFP

The instability in Burma since the coup d’état of February 2021 and the expansion of the civil war have favored an increase in the production of opium, but also of synthetic drugs: Burma is at the heart of a new boom of crime in the Golden Triangle, this contiguous region between Burma, Laos and Thailand crossed by the Mekong River for nearly 100 kilometers.

Covid, then the coup d’état of 2021, both generating greater uncertainty for farmers, and finally, in Afghanistan, the strict ban by the Taliban on poppy cultivation in April 2022 contributed to the return of Burma at the forefront in terms of drug production: the country once again became the leading producer of opium in 2022, while reversing for the second year in a row the downward trend recorded since 2013. This was favored by the democratization of the country and an economic boom fueled by the influx of foreign investments.

This article is taken from “Special Issue Le Monde – Drug traffickers: their networks, their crimes, the response”November-December 2024, on sale at kiosks or online by going to on our store website.

In 2023, estimated cultivated areas increased by a further 18% compared to 2022, according to the report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) of December 2023. Dry opium production is estimated at 1,080 tonnes, or 36% more than in 2022 – and just 20 tonnes short of the historic record of 2001 (1,100 tonnes). tons). The gross value of the entire opiate economy – including both the value of domestic consumption and exports of opium and heroin – in Burma in 2023 is estimated in this report to be between 1 and 2, $5 billion, or approximately 2% to 4% of national GDP in 2022. UNODC experts, based in Bangkok, use satellite images as well as on-site inspections to arrive at these estimates.

Many clandestine laboratories

The majority of opium production, 88%, is concentrated in Shan State, the largest and most populous, with nearly six million inhabitants, of the seven Burmese states which form the multi-ethnic crown of the country. This is also where the majority of synthetic drugs from South-East Asia come from, which in turn irrigate all of Asia: drug seizures, the only way to measure the extent of this production dispersed in laboratories, reached a record in 2023; 169 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized in South-East Asia in 2023, and three quarters in Burma, Thailand and Laos, out of a total of 190 tonnes discovered in Asia. Shan State “remains the epicenter of methamphetamine production” for Asia, saysUNODCnoting that “However, the Burmese authorities have not identified any significant methamphetamine manufacturing facilities there since April 2020”.

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**Interview with Dr. Aung Su, International Drug Policy Expert**

**Host:** Welcome,‌ Dr. Aung Su. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the troubling increase in opium production in Myanmar and its implications for the ⁤region.

**Dr. Aung Su:** Thank you for having me.‍ It’s a critical issue that we need to address.

**Host:** To start, could you provide us with ⁣some ⁤context about the current situation in Myanmar⁣ regarding opium production?

**Dr.‍ Aung Su:** Certainly. ‍Since the coup ⁤d’état in February 2021, Myanmar ⁤has faced extreme ‍instability, resulting in an escalation of civil unrest and conflict. This turmoil has led to ‍increased reliance on illegal ‌activities for livelihoods, particularly for displaced populations. Consequently, opium production has surged. Reports show that Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan, becoming the leading producer of ‍opium in the world[[1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/12/myanmar-now-worlds-top-opium-producer-surpassing-afghanistan-un)].

**Host:** It’s alarming that so many people are resorting to poppy farming to survive.⁤ What factors do you think are driving this increase in production?

**Dr. Aung Su:** Several‌ interconnected factors are‍ at play. First, the civil conflict provides little to⁢ no economic opportunity, ​compelling many displaced people to turn to ⁢illegal poppy farming[[source]]. Additionally, the Taliban’s ban on opium cultivation ⁢in Afghanistan has redirected the global opium market’s⁢ focus to‍ Myanmar[[source]]. The economic uncertainty created by both the pandemic ‍and the ongoing war also‍ plays a substantial role.

**Host:** You mentioned‍ that the gross value of opium production is significant. Can you elaborate on this?

**Dr. Aung Su:** Yes, according to the United Nations Office⁤ on Drugs and Crime, the ‌estimated dry opium production in Myanmar reached about 1,080 tonnes in 2023, a staggering 36% increase from 2022. The value of‌ this production is crucial; farmers can earn approximately 75% more from opium poppy than from traditional crops, making it a very tempting option for those in dire financial situations[[1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/12/myanmar-now-worlds-top-opium-producer-surpassing-afghanistan-un)].

**Host:** It sounds like a vicious cycle. What can be⁢ done to address this issue effectively?

**Dr. Aung Su:** Solving this problem requires a multi-faceted ⁢approach. Humanitarian aid must be prioritized to support displaced populations and provide alternative livelihoods.‍ Furthermore, there needs to be a concerted international effort to stabilize the region⁢ and address the root causes of conflict. Effective drug policy reform that focuses on harm reduction rather than punitive measures could also help mitigate the situation.

**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Aung⁤ Su, for ‍your insights ‌on this complex issue. It’s clear that urgent action is needed to ‍support affected communities and address the growing drug crisis in Myanmar.

**Dr. Aung Su:** Thank you for inviting me. It’s essential we keep the conversation going to find⁢ solutions.

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