The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated on the 28th that the seizure of methamphetamine in East and Southeast Asia hit a historical high last year, with Myanmar's 'conflict yet stable' situation fueling illegal drug production.
According to the latest report from UNODC, a total of 236 tons of methamphetamine were seized in these two major regions last year, marking a 24% increase compared to 2023, with an upward trend.
UNODC's Acting Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Hoffman, said in a statement: 'This number only represents the quantity seized, the actual amount entering the market is much more.'
Thailand is the country seizing the most methamphetamine in the region and is a major destination and transit hub for synthetic drugs.
Hoffman stated that some regions in Myanmar known for large-scale synthetic drug production have relatively stabilized, and the ongoing civil war since the 2021 military coup is driving 'unprecedented' growth in drug trafficking.
UNODC noted that the production of Ketamine has spread to most countries downstream of the Mekong River, indicating a high level of flexibility among transnational drug trafficking syndicates in avoiding law enforcement.
UNODC Regional Office Analyst Jin-Sik Shin said: 'The trafficking route linking Cambodia and Myanmar, primarily through Laos, is rapidly expanding.'
He pointed out that the maritime routes connecting Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have become another important drug trafficking channel.