Beijing Says 90% Of Drugs Enter China From The ‘Golden Triangle’ Region

The ‘Golden Triangle’ region, on the borders of Laos, Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand, has long been regarded as one of the drug-producing hot spots of the world. More traditionally it’s associated with the production and supply of heroin, but has more recently become a major source of amphetamine.

Meth trafficking has exploded throughout Asia despite hardline laws

While there has been some progress in bringing the lawless region under some degree of control, China said Wednesday that Southeast Asia’s lawless ‘Golden Triangle’ region remains the overwhelming source of the heroin and methamphetamine used there.

AP and Asian Correspondent report:

A Cabinet report on China’s drug situation released Wednesday underscores the threat posed by the region despite efforts at cross-border cooperation.

It said that 90 percent of the 9.3 tons of heroin and 11.4 tons of methamphetamine seized in 2014 came from the area that borders China’s southern province of Yunnan.

The report is the government’s first comprehensive look at drug use in China, where synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and ketamine have overtaken heroin in popularity.

It said China has about 3 million registered drug users, but estimates of those who have tried drugs run as high as 14 million.

While the production of drugs in Thailand is thought to have been brought largely under control, the situation across the border in Burma, and to a lesser extent Laos, is very different. Farmers can still grow opium freely with little fear of penalties from authorities. Some reports suggest that the Burmese army aids in the production and transportation of drugs.

Parts of Laos, which acts as a major smuggling route for drugs bound for China, are also notoriously lawless. In 2011, 13 Chinese sailors were killed on the Mekong River after their cargo vessels were hijacked while passing near the Golden Triangle. Four members of a drugs gang from Burma, Laos and Thailand were executed for the crime in 2013. It is alleged they were colluding with Thai army soldiers when they attacked the vessels.

Soldiers destroy opium poppies in northern Thailand. Photo: AP

Meanwhile AP reports China says Southeast Asia's lawless 'Golden Triangle' region remains the overwhelming source of the heroin and methamphetamine used in the country.

A Cabinet report on China's drug situation released Wednesday underscores the threat posed by the region incorporating parts of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, despite efforts at cross-border cooperation.

It said that 90 percent of the 9.3 tons of heroin and 11.4 tons of methamphetamine seized in 2014 came from the area that borders China's southern province of Yunnan.

The report is the government's first comprehensive look at drug use in China, where synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and ketamine have overtaken heroin in popularity. It said China has about 3 million registered drug users, but estimates of those who have tried drugs run as high as 14 million.