Covid-19 and meth: Production surged in Asia as economy faltered due to the pandemic, UNODC report says
CNNHong Kong CNN — Asia’s drug cartels adapted quickly to the pandemic in 2020, flooding markets with synthetic narcotics worth tens of billions of dollars even as the global economy ground to a halt, according to a new United Nations report. These groups started using lesser-regulated chemicals to produce illicit drugs, manufactured narcotics in new locations that were hard for law enforcement to reach shipped their products through new, surprising routes and even found new customers. The UNODC found that several large-scale meth manufacturers appeared to have set up shop in Cambodia in addition to Myanmar’s Shan State – an area governed by militias and warlords that have long been accused of funding themselves through the drug trade. “Organized crime groups have been able to continue the expansion of the regional synthetic drug trade – in particular in the upper Mekong and Shan state of Myanmar – by maintaining a steady supply of chemicals into production areas despite border restrictions that have impacted legitimate cross-border trade,” Douglas said.
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Speeding Up the Economy: The Role of Methamphetamines in the Southeast Asian Boom
The Diplomat
East, Southeast Asia had record methamphetamine seizures last year. Profits remain in the billions
Associated Press
East, Southeast Asia had record methamphetamine seizures last year. Profits remain in the billions
The Independent
‘Cheaper than beer’: Laos meth prices plummet as Myanmar chaos fuels trade
Al Jazeera
Thai police say drug bust nets methamphetamine, crystal meth and heroin worth $8.2 million
Associated Press
UN anti-drug agency warns there is no let-up in methamphetamine trade from Asia’s Golden Triangle
Associated Press
UN anti-drug agency warns there is no let-up in methamphetamine trade from Asia's Golden Triangle
The Independent
UN says organised crime shifting drugs routes in Southeast Asia
Al Jazeera
East and Southeast Asia hit ominous drug peak; more than one billion pills seized
Firstpost
1 billion pills seized: East, SE Asia hits ominous drug peak
Associated Press
1B Meth Pills: East, Southeast Asia Drug Industry Hits Ominous Peak
The Diplomat
Laos makes big meth bust as UN warns of security breakdown
The Independent
Laos reports seizing huge amount of methamphetamine
Associated Press
Laos police net meth pills, crystal meth in record drug bust
Al Jazeera
Police bust more drugs labs, crystal meth production on the rise
Dutch News
Police bust more drugs labs, crystal meth production on the rise
Dutch News
Asia’s Meth Boom
Al Jazeera
Meth trafficking in SE Asia reaching ‘alarming levels,’ UN warns
CNN
Thai police seize almost 2 million meth tablets
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