Meth seizures hit record in East Asia, Southeast Asia in 2023

May 29, 2024 | 14:43

(0) user say

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on May 28 published a report showing that 190 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023, a record level.

Meth seizures hit record in East Asia, Southeast Asia in 2023

A meth haul in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on May 28 published a report showing that 190 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023, a record level.

Drug trafficking has affected Southeast Asia for decades, with Shan state in Myanmar the leading source of synthetic drugs in the region. Much of it is produced in illegal labs in areas controlled by ethnic minority armed groups near the Thai border.

Thailand is a major transit route for illicit drugs from the so-called Golden Triangle region where the north of the kingdom, Laos and Myanmar meet.

UNODC representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Masood Karimipour said organised crime groups are lowering the production costs and scaling up production by using non-controlled chemicals.

The UN warned that new synthetic drug products are emerging on the market aimed at young users.

Over 3 tonnes of drugs seized in 14 months

Customs authorities seized more than 3 tonnes of drugs of all kinds, with 365 suspects involved, from December 16, 2022 to February 15, 2024, according to a report by the Ministry of Finance to National Assembly deputies.

By VNA

What the stars mean:

★ Poor ★ ★ Promising ★★★ Good ★★★★ Very good ★★★★★ Exceptional