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 main factors contributing to the rise in opium production in Myanmar following the military coup in 2021?
**Interview with Dr. Amina Khan, Drug Policy Expert, on Rising Opium Production in Myanmar**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khan. Recent reports indicate a significant increase in opium production in Myanmar, particularly following the military coup in February 2021. Can you walk us through the main factors contributing to this rise?
**Dr. Khan**: Thank you for having me. The escalation in opium production in Myanmar can be attributed to a confluence of factors. After the coup, widespread instability and violence have displaced many people. Those who lost their livelihoods have turned to illegal activities, including poppy cultivation, as a primary means of survival.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic generated economic disruptions, further pushing vulnerable populations towards illicit farming. Moreover, the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has shifted some of the global narcotics demand back to Myanmar, allowing it to reclaim its position as a leading opium producer [[1](https://www.unodc.org/roseap/uploads/documents/Publications/2023/Myanmar_Opium_Survey_2022.pdf)].
**Interviewer**: That’s a concerning trend. The region known as the Golden Triangle, which includes Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, is experiencing a crime boom along with drug production. Can you elaborate on how this area is impacted by Myanmar’s situation?
**Dr. Khan**: The Golden Triangle has long been associated with illicit drug trade. As Myanmar’s internal conflict continues, the lack of governance has created a fertile ground for drug traffickers and organized crime syndicates to thrive. The social unrest and the breakdown of law and order mean that local farmers often feel they have no choice but to participate in illegal activities, with poppy cultivation being one of the most financially lucrative options available to them [[1](https://www.unodc.org/roseap/uploads/documents/Publications/2023/Myanmar_Opium_Survey_2022.pdf)].
**Interviewer**: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime cites that opium production in Myanmar has surged by 36% compared to previous years. What does this say about the effectiveness of current drug control policies?
**Dr. Khan**: The dramatic rise in production suggests that current drug control policies in Myanmar are failing to address the root causes of drug cultivation and trafficking. Policies need to focus less on punitive measures and more on providing sustainable alternatives for farmers, addressing poverty, and ensuring stability. A multi-faceted approach—including socioeconomic development and reintegrating displaced populations—is crucial for any long-term solution [[1](https://www.unodc.org/roseap/uploads/documents/Publications/2023/Myanmar_Opium_Survey_2022.pdf)].
**Interviewer**: Given these challenges, what actions do you believe the international community should take?
**Dr. Khan**: The international community must engage with Myanmar in a way that balances humanitarian assistance with efforts to curb drug trafficking. This includes supporting local governance structures, enhancing community resilience to conflict, and facilitating economic opportunities that do not rely on illicit activities. It’s essential to collaborate with regional partners in the Golden Triangle to address the drug trade holistically [[1](https://www.unodc.org/roseap/uploads/documents/Publications/2023/Myanmar_Opium_Survey_2022.pdf)].
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for your insightful analysis. It’s clear that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the pressing issues arising from Myanmar’s instability and the resurgence of opium production.
**Dr. Khan**: Thank you for having me. It’s a complex situation, but through concerted efforts, we can work towards a better future for the communities affected by these challenges.