Irrespective of how much opium production has really contracted, the GMS remains a frontrunner in the global narcotics trade. In the opium eradication era, regional drug networks have found respite in chemicals comprising both basic materials and final products. The [Greater Mekong Subregioin's] strategic developmental position in between two industrial giants is being exploited for sourcing from China and India the precursor chemicals needed for the production of heroin and Amphetamine-Type Stimulants or ATS, including amphetamine, Ecstasy, and especially tablet (‘yaba’ in Thai) and “ice” methamphetamine (crystal methamphetamine). The chemicals are then used in laboratories across the region, or traded across the globe.
- Extracted from Lia Sciortino’s most recent essay in her Mekong Currents series. This piece is titled: “Drugs: From Golden Past to Crystalline Future”.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Grasshopper // Oct 10, 2007 at 1:46 am
That was an interesting read and a great site, thanks for highlighting it. I would love to know how the UN get all these all encompassing statistics for the illicit drug trade!
Just a quick observation
“however, ATS are not as place-bound since they do not require a field to grow, and are easy to process and conceal. ”
This is rubbish. The main proponent in an amphetamine is ephedrine which is brewed from the commonly found ephedra plant. While ephedra is found sporadically throughout jungle or forested regions, it would be too difficult to cultivate enough for an ‘operation’ without ‘fields’, or at least growing areas. However, it would be quite difficult for the untrained eye to notice ephedra as something distinct and questionable unlike papavar which is quite obviously unlike anything else growing in these regions.
2 aiontay // Oct 10, 2007 at 11:42 am
Thanks for posting the article. It was a good overview. I was particularly pleased that it pointed out that while acres planted in poppies appears to have decreased, the actual amount of heroin produced appears to have increased. This is an extremely important point since under ideal conditions increased inputs such as labor and fertilizer can more than double production per acre.
It would also be interesting to pinpoint more exactly where poppy production has shifted in the Shan State. The article notes that it has expanded in the southern Shan State. Since the UWSA has taken control of part of the southern Shan State and the Wa political leadership has moved significant parts of the Wa population there, one wonders if there is a correlation between the Wa State becoming opium free and the southern Shan State seeing an expansion in production.
Incidentally ephedrine can be produced synthetically without ephedra. If I am not mistaken, most of India’s ephedrine production for legitimate medical use is a byproduct of sugar production. One story I heard back in the late 1990s was that sugar cane and sugar production was proposed by one of the ceasefire groups in the Shan State as an alternative to opium production. Apparently, the proposal was fairly well received by international donors interested in crop substitution projects until somebody pointed out that ephedrine can by generated as a byproduct.
3 Thai Chat // Oct 10, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Dear Taksin,
You tried to tackle the problem of drug in Thailand.
Maybe some innocents suffered in the process.
But uncontrolled drugs are far more detrimental to society..
Let’s hope someone at the government will refocus on this matter instead of creating smoke and mirrors…
4 Grasshopper // Oct 10, 2007 at 9:05 pm
aiontay, sugar is used to produce ethanol which in turn is a primary component in synthesizing ephedrine from ephedra. There are of course other ways to produce amphetamines, but not ephedrine.
I would also be interested in what they mean by ‘heroin produced.’ Do they mean estimates on heroin sold, or is the UN asking cartels candidly on a question and answer form?!
5 Ladyboy // Oct 10, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Grasshopper and Aointay. You are both sounding like backyard speed chemists. This is an academic site, please!
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