East and Southeast Asia remain the world's largest markets for synthetic drugs, and the methamphetamine problem is showing signs of accelerating, according to senior policy, law enforcement and justice delegates at a special regional conference organized by UNODC's Global SMART Programme which started today in Yangon, Myanmar.
Growing demand in East and Southeast Asia for methamphetamine is being met by large-scale production in China, Myanmar and several other countries in the region. Information presented at the conference confirms continued high, and rising, demand and supply of methamphetamine.
"Organized crime groups are well positioned to take advantage of regional integration agreements to expand the trafficking of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals" said Jeremy Douglas, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. "Capacities to ensure the rule of law vary greatly across the region, and this evolving and growing threat diverts increasing amounts of scarce state resources away from efforts to develop and improve governance. It can't be ignored that the billions generated for organized crime exceed the size of several national economies in the region. Where is the money going?" added Mr. Douglas.
While most of the methamphetamine produced in East and Southeast Asia is consumed within the region, large quantities are also being trafficked to nearby major markets such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and more recently to neighbouring South Asia. Transnational criminal groups also continue to identify new precursor sources and methods for production, and are diversifying trafficking routes.
