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. Jane Smith, Southeast Asia Drug Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Smith. We are seeing a significant increase in drug production in Myanmar, particularly opium. Can you explain what factors have contributed to this resurgence since the coup in 2021?
**Dr. Smith:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The instability following the military coup in February 2021 has created a perfect storm for drug production to flourish. With ongoing civil conflict, many communities—including displaced individuals—have turned to opium cultivation as a means of survival. The lack of law enforcement in remote areas facilitates this illicit activity, making it a viable economic option for those affected by the violence [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/myanmar-torches-drugs-half-billion-illicit-trade-soars-rcna91089)].
**Editor:** That sounds dire. You mentioned that the situation has been compounded by the pandemic and external factors like the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation. How exactly have these circumstances shaped Myanmar’s drug trade landscape?
**Dr. Smith:** The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic uncertainty for farmers who are already struggling due to the conflict. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s ban has effectively reduced global opium supply, allowing Myanmar to reclaim its position as the leading producer of opium. With opium prices now much more attractive, the cultivation area has increased significantly—by about 18% from 2022 to 2023, bringing the total dry opium production to approximately 1,080 tonnes [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/myanmar-torches-drugs-half-billion-illicit-trade-soars-rcna91089)].
**Editor:** In recent reports, it’s clear that we are witnessing a broader crime wave in the Golden Triangle region. What implications does this have for regional security and drug policy?
**Dr. Smith:** The resurgence of drug production poses substantial risks for regional security in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Golden Triangle, which is notorious for drug trafficking networks. Increased opium and synthetic drug production could lead to a rise in organized crime and violence, complicating the efforts of local governments and international agencies to combat drug trafficking effectively. Sustainable solutions will require not just enforcement, but also addressing the economic needs of those in opium-producing regions [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/myanmar-torches-drugs-half-billion-illicit-trade-soars-rcna91089)].
**Editor:** Given these challenges, what measures do you propose for addressing the drug crisis in Myanmar?
**Dr. Smith:** We need a multifaceted approach. First, there must be increased international cooperation in drug enforcement and in providing alternative livelihoods for farmers engaged in opium production. Additionally, fostering peace and stability in the region is crucial—only then can more sustainable agricultural practices be promoted. addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty and lack of access to education, is vital for long-term change [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/myanmar-torches-drugs-half-billion-illicit-trade-soars-rcna91089)].
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Smith, for your insights. It’s clear that the situation in Myanmar requires urgent attention and a holistic response to break the cycle of conflict and drug production.
**Dr. Smith:** Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue.
