Contemporary civil unrest in Myanmar has fueled a marked rise in drug trafficking operations into Thailand. Increased seizure rates of methamphetamines and heroin have been reported, which authorities attribute to the partnership between organized crime syndicates and militia groups. This unfolding crisis is undermining efforts to control the drug trade amidst growing political instability in the region.
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar has significantly contributed to an increase in the illicit drug trade, particularly methamphetamines and heroin, trafficking into Thailand, according to a prominent official from Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Apikit Ch.Rojprasert, the deputy secretary-general of the ONCB, indicated that the northern region continues to serve as the primary trafficking corridor for illegal substances, with traffickers utilizing mountainous routes and the Mekong River to transport large quantities of methamphetamine tablets and crystal meth, colloquially referred to as ice. Thai officials have reported that organized crime syndicates have formed alliances with various militias and rebel factions, establishing sophisticated production facilities dubbed “super labs” in Myanmar’s Shan and Kachin States. Although a spokesperson for the Myanmar junta refrained from commenting, it has been previously stated that the junta is determined to collaborate with neighboring countries to combat the narcotics issue. “Because of the armed conflict, the drug trade is one of the factors used to fund weapon purchases or drive the fighting forces,” stated Mr. Apikit. “We have to be vigilant about crimes that are linked to drug trafficking and work with neighbouring countries.” Currently engulfed in a civil war, Myanmar’s military is engaged in battles on multiple fronts against an insurgency bolstered by various ethnic minority groups following the military’s takeover of the government in 2021. Recent ONCB statistics reveal a staggering 172% increase in the seizure of meth tablets within the northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son, with 346 million pills confiscated from January to mid-September 2023—a quantity that surpasses the total from the previous year. Furthermore, crystal meth seizures rose by 39% to 6.48 tons, while heroin recoveries surged nearly seven-fold to 327 kg (721 lb). Despite an uptick in seizures, the street price of meth pills in Thailand has plummeted, suggesting a substantial volume of drugs continues to evade law enforcement efforts. Currently, the average cost of a meth tablet in Thailand hovers around 25-30 baht ($0.78-$0.93), a sharp decline from 80 baht ($2.49) in 2017 and 200 baht ($6.21) in 2013. General Narit Thanwornwong, the commander of Thailand’s drug enforcement unit at the northern border, indicated that there exists a substantial cache of over 50 million meth pills poised for trafficking into the country. He noted that while some armed factions engaged in combat against the Myanmar junta are involved in drug trafficking, multiple other entities not directly linked to the conflict also partake in the production and trade of narcotics. The ONCB data underscores that since the 2021 coup in Myanmar, there has been a marked increase in drug seizures across northern Thailand, with crystal meth up by 284%, amphetamine tablets by 201%, and heroin by 77%. ($1 = 32.1900 baht) (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Reuters staff, Editing by Martin Petty and Miral Fahmy)
The escalation of civil strife in Myanmar has precipitated a notable rise in cross-border drug trafficking, particularly affecting Thailand. The situation has led to greater drug production and distribution, often with organized crime networks collaborating with insurgent groups. The impact of the conflict extends beyond regional stability, as the illicit drug trade has intertwined with the financing of armed conflict, complicating enforcement efforts by neighboring countries.
The civil war in Myanmar has intensified the drug trade, particularly impacting Thailand, where an alarming increase in drug seizures has been observed. The collaboration between organized crime and militias has facilitated the establishment of drug production facilities, thereby exacerbating the situation. Despite the measures taken by Thai authorities, the declining prices of methamphetamine signal ongoing challenges in combating this trade, highlighting the need for regional cooperation and sustained vigilance against drug-related crimes.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
