Laos Police Net 55 Million Meth Pills In Asia's Biggest Drug Bust: UN
Sumaira FH Published October 28, 2021 | 05:40 PM
Bangkok, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Oct, 2021 ) :Laotian police have carried out Asia's biggest-ever single seizure of illegal drugs, finding more than 55 million methamphetamine pills in the back of a beer truck, a United Nations official confirmed Thursday.
The Southeast Asian country has in recent years been a gateway for drug traffickers moving meth shipments out of Myanmar's troubled Shan state and into Thailand and beyond.
On Wednesday, police stopped a truck carrying beer crates in Laos' northern province of Bokeo, which borders Thailand and Myanmar.
"The 55.6 million meth tablets and 1,537 kg of crystal meth reported by Laos late yesterday is a record for a single seizure in the region," UN Office of Drugs and Crime regional representative Jeremy Douglas told AFP.
"It is three times the meth tablets that Laos seized all last year, and close to a third of the crystal meth," he said.
Local media said authorities questioned the driver of the truck -- which was ferrying crates of Beerlao -- leading them to a nearby house where two men were detained.
Beer maker Lao Brewery issued a statement denying any involvement in the drug smuggling case and insisted it has strict anti-drug policies.
"We are deeply disappointed that our crates have been abused as a cover for illegal activities and will not hesitate to take immediate legal action towards anyone misusing our company's assets," it said.
It added that the truck in question was not registered with the company or to any of its distributors.
- Golden Triangle glut - Wednesday's massive haul comes as the so-called Golden Triangle region sees a surge in its multi-billion-dollar methamphetamine and synthetic drugs trade.
Myanmar's Shan state remains the main source of the meth, which is often smuggled on to wealthier overseas markets such as Australia and Japan in its more potent crystallised form.
Experts say the February coup -- when the Myanmar military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power -- and the country's subsequent economic collapse have exacerbated the problem.
Parts of Shan state are controlled by ethnic armed groups and its civilian and legal administration sits outside the jurisdiction of the central government.
Authorities in Thailand have stepped up patrols along the border shared with Myanmar and Laos since the pandemic began to discourage illegal crossings for fear of the spread of Covid.
But despite coronavirus travel restrictions, there has been an "overall sustained expansion of the methamphetamine market in East and Southeast Asia", the UN said in its latest report for the region in June.
The glut of meth pills has sent street prices of tablets plummeting in Bangkok and other Southeast Asian cities.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
18 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
18 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
5 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
6 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
6 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
6 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
8 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
12 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
13 days ago