1 billion meth pills: East Asia, Southeast Asia drug industry hits ominous peak

BANGKOK: The number of methamphetamine tablets seized in East and Southeast Asia exceeded a billion last year for the first time, highlighting the scale of illegal drug production and trafficking in the region and the challenges of fighting it, the UN said Monday .

“Production and trafficking of methamphetamine jumped yet again as supply became super concentrated in the Mekong and in particular Thailand, Laos and Myanmar,” Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia regional representative for the UN agency, told the Associated Press in an email interview. Given the problem of limited governance and low attention to the issue, the UN agency said organised crime syndicates have the means to continue to produce more meth and to sell it to a growing, young population with increased spending power.In Myanmar, the military seized power from an elected government last year and is now engaged in an armed struggle against foes of military rule.

Ireland Ireland Latest News, Ireland Ireland Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Asia stocks edge higher, dollar in the doldrumsSYDNEY : Asian stocks followed Wall Street higher on Monday while the dollar was pinned near five-week lows as investors wagered on an eventual slowdown in U.S. monetary tightening, albeit after sharp hikes in June and July.Helping to mellow the mood was news that Shanghai authorities will cancel many con
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Asia stocks hit 3-week top, dollar strugglesSYDNEY : Asian stocks tracked Wall Street higher on Monday while the dollar was pinned near five-week lows as investors wagered on an eventual slowdown in U.S. monetary tightening, albeit after sharp hikes in June and July.Helping to mellow the mood was news that Shanghai authorities will cancel many cond
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »