Monthly Myanmar Drug Research Note covering October 2024
Disclaimer: This research note is prepared using open-source information collected by the researcher with the assistance of bots and OpenAI-powered tools. As an independent report based on publicly available data, some incidents may not be included. The aim of this note is to provide users with updates and insights into trends related to the inflow of precursor materials into Myanmar, as well as drug manufacturing, trafficking within Myanmar and along its borders, and routes via land and sea. For detailed information, please refer to organizations such as UNODC, CCDAC, and the Myanmar Police Force.
Kachin State
In Kachin State, clashes between the SAC/Tatmadaw and the Border Guard Forces (BGF) against the combined forces of the KIO/KIA and KPDF intensified in October 2024. Midway through the month, resistance forces took control of Pang War Town and the stronghold areas of the New Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K), a group integrated into the Border Guard Force under Tatmadaw command.
This region, previously under NDA-K control, is known for its rare earth metal extraction and poppy cultivation. The ongoing conflict, coupled with heavy rainfall, may affect opium production in the area. However, further evidence is needed to fully assess the potential impact on poppy cultivation and production for the upcoming harvest season.
Kayin State (Myanmar-Thailand Border)
On 29 October 2024, the European Union (EU) announced sanctions against Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) leaders Brigadier General Saw Chit Thu, Major Saw Mote Thun, and Major Saw Tin Win, as well as the BGF-owned Chit Linn Myaing Group (CLM) company.
The EU statement noted, “CLM is a group of companies that is involved with and profits financially from activities in scam compounds in the area of Myawaddy Township on the Thai-Myanmar border, including the city of Shwe Kokko. The latter is a hub for transnational crime, including online fraud, drug and human trafficking, and is experiencing massive human rights violations, including forced labour and torture.”
Despite the EU sanctions, the Karen BGF’s operations are likely to remain largely unaffected in the near future. In a media interview, Major Saw Tin Win commented, “Will they come into our territory and take action against us? What we are holding are not slingshots.”
Major Saw Tin Win commented, “Will they come into our territory and take action against us? What we are holding are not slingshots.”
On 19 October 2024, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) raided warehouses in Maesot Town, opposite the BGF-controlled Myawaddy Town in Myanmar, seizing 830 tons of precursor chemicals from two locations. Details on the specific chemicals seized remain unavailable, making it difficult to determine the type of drug intended for manufacture along the Myanmar-Thailand border.
Currently, complexities along the Myanmar-Thailand border are escalating. Open-source information indicates that over 5,000 “Chinese” individuals (reportedly scam gang members) have relocated to the Three Pagodas Pass area—a region prone to conflict. Reports suggest the BGF and the DKBA (Saw A One faction) are cooperating to protect these Chinese scam groups. Local sources also indicate a rise in KTV clubs, massage parlors, Chinese restaurants, and drug trafficking activities. Further evidence is required for an in-depth analysis of the situation.
Chin State
In Chin State, the People’s Police Force-Zoland and PDF Zoland destroyed over 20 acres of poppy crops in Tedim Township on 22–23 October 2024. These armed groups stated they had repeatedly warned farmers against cultivating poppy, but after being ignored, they proceeded with the destruction of the crops. The armed group has announced they will continue to eradicate poppy cultivation within their controlled areas.
Reports indicate a rise in poppy farmland in Tedim and Tongzan Townships in 2024. In 2023, a viss (1.63 kilogram) of raw opium was valued between MMK 80 to 100 lakhs, depending on quality, and farmers expect prices to increase to between MMK 110 to 170 lakhs this year, with inflation contributing to the rise. In Chin State, the average yield is less than one viss per acre. As poppy remains one of the few profitable ventures, not only rural farmers but also affluent families/businesspersons from urban areas have begun renting rural land for poppy farming, employing seasonal labor.
Sagaing Region (Myanmar-India Border)
A significant drug seizure was reported in Kale Town this month. On October 23, 2024, anti-narcotics authorities from the SAC/Tatmadaw seized 8.6 kilograms of heroin, valued at an estimated 43 million kyats, from two vehicles. The drugs were transported from Mandalay and were possibly en route to India.
In a separate incident on Indian soil, on October 15, authorities in Mizoram State seized 47 grams of heroin worth over 3 million rupees from a Myanmar national traveling in Champhai District. The 20-year-old suspect from Kale, Sagaing Region, had concealed the drugs in his travel bag. These incidents highlight the ongoing flow of heroin along the Mandalay-Kale-Champhai-Mizoram route.
In mid-August 2024, joint KIA-PDF resistance forces launched a new offensive to capture Pinlebu Town in Sagaing Region, marking their fifth attempt. On the morning of October 8, 2024, they successfully seized the last Tatmadaw outpost in Pinlebu, securing full control of the town. Local reports indicate that around 300 Tatmadaw troops and their families surrendered to resistance forces at approximately 4:00 AM and were allowed to leave for Wuntho, a nearby town.
Following the battle, resistance forces reported seizing weapons, ammunition, raw opium, heroin, and jade jewelry from military camps. On October 15, 2024, the National Unity Government’s (NUG) Ministry of Defence organized a ceremony to burn the seized opiates.
Mandalay Region
In October 2024, authorities under the SAC/Tatmadaw in Mandalay Region conducted several drug seizures. On October 27, they intercepted 880,000 yaba tablets in Kyaukse Town. The drugs were being transported from Southern Shan State to Phayathonesu Town (Three Pagoda Pass) in Kayin State, located on the Myanmar-Thailand border.
It appeared that the SAC/Tatmadaw is conducting a special operation targeting drug traffickers based in Mandalay City and Patheingyi Town. During these operations, authorities seized various narcotics, including ketamine, “Happy Water” (a mixture of ketamine and other substances), ICE (crystal methamphetamine), and yaba (methamphetamine tablets).
Yangon
Similar to Mandalay, authorities in Yangon conducted several drug seizures this month. On 14 October 2024, they intercepted a total of 398,000 methamphetamine pills, valued at approximately 3.98 billion kyats. According to a police statement, the drugs were reportedly sourced from sellers in Shan State’s Namsan and Kyethi Townships and purchased by an individual in Maungdaw, Rakhine State, suggesting a likely destination of Bangladesh via coastal routes from Yangon-Rakhine-Bangladesh.
Bago Region
In Bago Region, authorities arrested several small-scale, street-level drug pushers, seizing a few hundred yaba tablets. Compared to other regions, the quantity seized in Bago is relatively minor.
Eastern Shan State
Several drug seizures were reported in the region this month, with authorities confiscating at least 148,600 yaba tablets, 52 kilograms of ICE, and 70 kilograms of ketamine, primarily in Tachileik Township. This suggests that drugs manufactured in Shan State are routinely transported to the Golden Triangle area and northern Thailand, using mountainous terrain and Mekong River routes.
Southern Shan State
Authorities seized at least 486,000 yaba tablets in Lawksawk and Loilen Townships in Southern Shan State. Lawksawk is situated along the main road connecting Northern and Southern Shan State. Previously, traffickers used this route—from Nawnghkio through Intaw, Lawksawk, Taunggyi, Kalaw, Aungpan, Thazi, and on to major cities like Yangon and Mandalay—to transport drugs manufactured in Shan State, avoiding known checkpoints with scanners. The ongoing conflict in Northern Shan State may be creating a security vacuum, potentially allowing drug syndicates greater freedom to operate.
Border Areas
In October 2024, several significant drug-related incidents occurred along Myanmar’s borders:
- 3 October 2024: Mizoram authorities seized methamphetamine tablets from two Myanmar citizens.
- 16 October 2024: A firefight between a drug syndicate and the Thai army occurred in Mae Sai Township. After the brief shootout, the Thai army seized 119 kilograms of heroin.
- 19 October 2024: The Royal Thai Police (RTP) raided warehouses in Mae Sot Town, opposite the BGF-controlled Myawaddy Town in Myanmar, seizing 830 tons of precursor chemicals from two locations.
- 23 October 2024: India’s Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police seized 1,075 kilograms (43 drums) of precursor materials (caffeine anhydrous) destined for Myanmar and arrested two individuals.
- 16 October 2024: India’s Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police arrested a Myanmar national for possessing 323.17 grams of heroin in Champhai district.
- 27 October 2024: In Thailand’s Chiang Mai City, authorities seized 2,494,000 yaba tablets transported from the Myanmar-Thailand border en route to Sukhothai District.
