VIENTIANE (ANN/VIENTIANE TIMES) – Officials from six Mekong countries convened in Vientiane on Tuesday to intensify collaborative efforts in combating drug trafficking, particularly amidst the rising synthetic drug markets in East and Southeast Asia.
The meeting, attended by delegates from Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, coincided with the release of a UNODC report highlighting the surge in drug trafficking activities.
Titled “Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia: Latest Developments and Challenges 2024,” the report underscores the persistent growth of the synthetic drug market in the region, reaching concerning levels.
Despite a slight decrease in 2022, the report reveals a record high of 190 tonnes of methamphetamine seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023, signalling the gravity of the situation.
“The drug trafficking and production situation has become increasingly complex,” UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Mr Masood Karimipour, said.
Organised crime groups are adopting cost-cutting measures and expanding production with unregulated chemicals, resulting in increased drug shipments exceeding one ton.
Laos’ Deputy Minister of Public Security Major Khamking Phuilamanivong emphasised the significance of regular meetings in bolstering collective efforts against the illegal drug trade in the Mekong Sub-region.
Since the signing of a cooperation memorandum in 1993, these meetings have provided a crucial platform for combating drug-related issues.
Despite the challenges posed by escalating drug trafficking, the deputy minister highlighted the effectiveness of cooperation efforts in addressing the problem within the region.
The recent meeting evaluated the progress of the Sub-regional Action Plan and the collaborative initiative targeting synthetic drugs in the Mekong sub-region.
According to the UNODC report, organised crime groups are increasingly utilising both land-based trafficking routes and maritime channels to escalate the trafficking of large drug shipments.
Notably, the route to the Gulf of Thailand, traversing several land borders in the lower Mekong region, has seen numerous seizures of methamphetamine and ketamine shipments.
While Shan State in Myanmar remains the primary source of synthetic drugs in the region, illicit manufacturing is expanding into neighbouring countries.
The report also highlights the sophisticated tactics employed by organised crime groups, including the use of non-controlled chemicals to streamline production and minimise disruptions to the supply chain.
Additionally, new synthetic drug products, such as “happy water” sachets and “party lollipops,” have emerged in the market, posing significant health risks to users.
Major Khamking underscored Laos’ commitment to combating the drug problem and collaborating with regional partners.
The Lao government has implemented a comprehensive national agenda aimed at addressing the growing drug issue through intensified enforcement measures.
