Keng Tung (Myanmar): Authorities in eastern
Myanmar on Tuesday destroyed more than USD 93 million worth of
methamphetamine tablets and other illicit drugs seized over
the last six months.
Reporters saw nearly 7 million methamphetamine tablets,
1,802 pounds of heroin, 22 pounds of "ice", crystal
methamphetamine, and other drugs set ablaze at a ceremony in
Keng Tung, the capital of Shan state.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, produced an estimated 410
tons of opium in 2008, enough to make 40 tons of heroin,
according to United Nations figures. The country is the
world's second-largest producer after Afghanistan, which
accounts for 90 percent of world output.
It is also a major source of methamphetamines. Much of it
is trafficked to neighbouring Thailand where abuse of the drug
is rampant.
Shan state is one of the country's centres of drug
production and trafficking.
The drugs destroyed Tuesday were seized over the past six
months, and included several large hauls captured in the
Myanmar-Thai border town of Tachilek, according to National
Police Chief Brig. Gen. Khin Yi, who is also Secretary of the
Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 09, 2009, 00:38