UN sounds alarm over meth trade in East, Southeast Asia
The United Nations is shedding light on the illegal synthetic drugs trade in East and Southeast Asia. An alarming new report shows the total amount of methamphetamines seized last year surged 24 percent.
The UN's Office on Drugs and Crime released the figures on Wednesday. The report says authorities intercepted a record 236 tons of methamphetamine. About 90 percent came from Southeast Asia.
The report points to "industrial-scale production and trafficking networks" operated by transnational crime groups.
It describes the situation as "unprecedented" in Myanmar's Shan State. The country has been mired in political turmoil and conflict since the military took power more than four years ago.
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