Source link : https://news7.asia/business/inside-the-thriving-and-dangerous-meth-trade-surge-in-southeast-asia/
Southeast Asia has become a major battleground in the global fight against methamphetamine trafficking, with an alarming surge in production and distribution reshaping the region’s illicit drug landscape. In this report, DW takes an in-depth look inside the shadowy networks fueling the booming meth trade, exploring its economic drivers, the routes it follows, and the profound social and security challenges it poses to affected countries across the region.
The Rise of Methamphetamine Production in Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle, straddling the borders of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, has long been infamous as a hub for illicit drug production. In recent years, this region has witnessed an unprecedented surge in methamphetamine manufacturing, signaling a shift from traditional opium cultivation to synthetic narcotics. Traffickers are increasingly exploiting modern chemical processes, making meth production more covert and efficient. The rise is fueled by growing demand across Southeast Asia and beyond, driven by the drug’s high potency, relatively low production costs, and widespread availability. Authorities report an alarming increase in clandestine labs hidden deep within the dense jungles and remote mountain regions of the area.
Key factors contributing to this boom include:
- Advanced synthesis techniques that simplify meth production.
- Expanded trafficking networks linking producers to urban consumption hubs.
- Corruption and weak…
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Author : Mia Garcia
Publish date : 2025-07-02 05:46:00
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