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 are the primary factors contributing to the surge in opium production in Myanmar following the military coup in 2021?
**Interview with Dr. Aye Chan, Expert on Southeast Asian Drug Trafficking**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Aye Chan. The recent reports highlight a significant surge in opium production in Myanmar, which is alarming. Could you start by summarizing the current situation regarding opium production there?
**Dr. Aye Chan:** Certainly. Recent data indicates that Myanmar’s opium production has reached a nine-year high, with an estimated 1,080 tonnes produced in 2023, a 36% increase compared to the previous year. The unrest following the military coup in February 2021 and ongoing conflicts, particularly in regions like Karen State and southern Shan State, have perpetuated this alarming trend. Displaced individuals are increasingly turning to illegal poppy cultivation as a means of survival amid the chaos [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64409019)].
**Interviewer:** That’s quite distressing. How have external factors, like the situation in Afghanistan, influenced this surge in opium production in Myanmar?
**Dr. Aye Chan:** The situation in Afghanistan has had a considerable impact. After the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation in April 2022, many farmers there lost their livelihoods, which shifted the dynamics of the global opium market. Myanmar, which had already been vulnerable due to political instability and economic challenges from the effects of COVID-19, stepped into the void left by Afghan farmers, reaffirming its status as a leading opium producer. Additionally, deep-rooted issues like poverty and lack of viable economic alternatives continue to push farmers towards drug cultivation [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64409019)].
**Interviewer:** Can you shed some light on the implications of this resurgence for the region, particularly for the communities involved?
**Dr. Aye Chan:** The implications are multifaceted and troubling. As opium production thrives, it often leads to increased violence and instability, as various armed groups vie for control over these lucrative markets. For displaced people, engaging in illegal activities like poppy cultivation can create a cycle of dependence that is difficult to escape. This not only poses risks for their safety but also exacerbates social issues, including addiction and corruption in nearby communities. The risks of law enforcement crackdowns also grow, further endangering those who feel they have no other means of survival [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64409019)].
**Interviewer:** In light of these challenges, what do you believe are potential solutions to address the growing problem of drug production in Myanmar?
**Dr. Aye Chan:** Tackling this issue requires a multidimensional approach. First, it’s crucial to provide support and alternative livelihoods for farmers to encourage them to move away from poppy cultivation. International cooperation is vital—governments should work together to strengthen regional policies against drug trafficking while concurrently addressing the underlying causes of poverty and instability. Additionally, humanitarian aid is essential to support displaced populations and foster stability in conflict-affected areas.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Aye Chan, for your insights into this daunting issue. It’s clear that the situation is complex and requires urgent attention from both local and international entities.
**Dr. Aye Chan:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue to raise awareness about this pressing issue.
