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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What role does the political instability in Myanmar play in the increasing rates of opium production and trafficking?
**Interview with Dr. Lydia Chan, Drug Policy Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Dr. Chan. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent surge in drug production in Myanmar, particularly the impact of the ongoing conflict and political instability.
**Dr. Chan:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical issue that affects not only Myanmar but also the surrounding region.
**Interviewer:** In your view, how has the coup in February 2021 influenced the rise in opium production in Myanmar?
**Dr. Chan:** The coup has significantly destabilized the country, leading to an environment where traditional agricultural practices have been disrupted. Many farmers, particularly those displaced by the conflict, have turned to illegal activities, including poppy cultivation, as a means of survival. The combination of ongoing violence, economic hardship, and uncertainty has pushed these farmers to rely on opium production, which is relatively lucrative compared to traditional crops [[1](https://www.ft.com/content/2e9ee221-cba4-483d-8799-c2a356af4cb4)].
**Interviewer:** You mentioned displacement. Can you elaborate on how this affects the communities in conflict zones, like those between the Myanmar military and the KNDF?
**Dr. Chan:** Absolutely. Communities caught in these conflict zones, such as those in Moe Bye and Pekon township, experience not only physical displacement but also economic instability. Many families are forced to work in illegal poppy fields simply to put food on the table. This not only perpetuates the cycle of poverty but also contributes to a larger criminal network emerging in the Golden Triangle region, which is notorious for drug trafficking [[1](https://www.ft.com/content/2e9ee221-cba4-483d-8799-c2a356af4cb4)].
**Interviewer:** It’s been reported that Myanmar has regained its position as a leading opium producer. What factors contributed to this shift?
**Dr. Chan:** Several interconnected factors are at play here. The Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan in 2022 has redirected some of the opium market to Myanmar, which has opened the door for increased production. Additionally, following years of a downward trend in opium cultivation, the chaotic aftermath of the coup has led to a rebound as farmers look for quick profits in an increasingly desperate situation [[1](https://www.ft.com/content/2e9ee221-cba4-483d-8799-c2a356af4cb4)].
**Interviewer:** The UNODC reported an 18% increase in cultivated opium areas in 2023. What does this indicate about the future of drug production in Myanmar?
**Dr. Chan:** This continuing rise in cultivation is alarming. It suggests that the factors driving farmers into illicit markets remain potent, with no immediate resolution in sight for the political and humanitarian crises. Unless there is significant intervention – both in terms of conflict resolution and economic support for alternative livelihoods – we can expect this trend to persist [[1](https://www.ft.com/content/2e9ee221-cba4-483d-8799-c2a356af4cb4)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Chan, for sharing your insights. It’s a complex situation, and understanding the multifaceted causes is crucial for anyone looking to address the challenges posed by drug production and trafficking in Myanmar.
**Dr. Chan:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue.
