Recently, Thailand has experienced a significant increase in illegal drug trafficking from Myanmar, with a notable rise in seizures of methamphetamines and heroin. This surge in drug activity is exacerbated by a civil war that is fueling the regional drug trade, according to a senior Thai counter-narcotics official.
The primary trafficking route into Thailand is through the northern region, where dealers transport methamphetamine tablets and crystal meth, also known as ice, via the mountains or the Mekong river. Apikit Ch.Rojprasert, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), emphasized the prevalence of these drugs entering the country through this route.
Authorities in Thailand have identified organized crime networks collaborating with militias and rebel groups to establish “super labs” in Myanmar’s Shan and Kachin States, further contributing to the influx of drugs into the region.
BANGKOK –