Overview

• Myanmar destroyed over $446 million worth of illegal drugs to mark an annual international anti-drug trafficking day.
• UN experts have warned of increases in the production of opium, heroin, and methamphetamine in Myanmar, with exports threatening to expand markets in South and Southeast Asia.
• Myanmar is a major producer and exporter of methamphetamine and the world’s second-largest opium and heroin producer after Afghanistan.
• Violent political unrest in Myanmar following the military takeover two years ago has caused an increase in drug production.
• Most of the opium and heroin exported by Myanmar, along with methamphetamine, goes to other countries in Southeast Asia and China.