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”.
You have 62.74% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
1732447654
#Drug #economy #Golden #Triangle #revived #Burmese #crisis
How has the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan affected drug production in Myanmar?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Chen, an Expert on Southeast Asian Drug Trafficking**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Chen. Recent reports have indicated that Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan to become the world’s leading opium producer. Could you explain the factors contributing to this alarming shift?
**Dr. Chen:** Absolutely, and thanks for having me. The situation in Myanmar is deeply rooted in the country’s ongoing civil conflict, which escalated after the military coup in February 2021. This instability has created an environment where illegal activities, including poppy cultivation, thrive. People displaced by the conflict, such as those fleeing fighting between the Myanmar military and groups like the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, often turn to growing opium as a means of survival [[1](https://apnews.com/article/drugs-opium-myanmar-poppies-heroin-golden-triangle-un-7374917a5c7da11bfbc2fbe79703be59)].
**Interviewer:** It’s distressing to hear that displaced individuals feel they have no choice but to engage in such illegal activities. How have international events, like the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, impacted Myanmar’s drug production?
**Dr. Chen:** The Taliban’s ban significantly reduced Afghanistan’s opium production, effectively eliminating a major competitor. This, combined with Myanmar’s already precarious situation post-coup, has made it easier for Myanmar to reclaim its position as the top opium producer. In fact, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported a staggering 36% increase in opium production in Myanmar in 2023 alone, with cultivated areas rising by 18% compared to 2022 [[1](https://apnews.com/article/drugs-opium-myanmar-poppies-heroin-golden-triangle-un-7374917a5c7da11bfbc2fbe79703be59)].
**Interviewer:** That’s a significant uptick. Can you elaborate on the implications of this rise in opium production for the region and beyond?
**Dr. Chen:** The implications are severe. Myanmar is at the heart of the Golden Triangle, a notorious area for drug trafficking that spans Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. The increase in opium and synthetic drug production doesn’t just pose a risk to local populations but can also fuel international drug markets, impacting public health and safety much further afield. The chaotic conditions in Myanmar make it difficult for authorities to combat these illicit activities effectively [[1](https://apnews.com/article/drugs-opium-myanmar-poppies-heroin-golden-triangle-un-7374917a5c7da11bfbc2fbe79703be59)].
**Interviewer:** Lastly, Dr. Chen, what can be done to address these complex issues in Myanmar?
**Dr. Chen:** Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. First, there needs to be a concerted international effort to stabilize Myanmar politically and socially. This could involve diplomatic engagement, humanitarian assistance for displaced populations, and support for alternative livelihood programs. Moreover, regional cooperation is crucial to tackle the drug trafficking networks and mitigate their impact effectively. It’s a challenging road ahead, but necessary for the well-being of both Myanmar and its neighbors [[1](https://apnews.com/article/drugs-opium-myanmar-poppies-heroin-golden-triangle-un-7374917a5c7da11bfbc2fbe79703be59)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you very much for your insights, Dr. Chen. It’s a complex situation that requires urgent attention and action.
**Dr. Chen:** Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed critical, and I hope for better outcomes for the people affected in Myanmar.