Research

In September 2024, drug-related incidents surged across Myanmar, highlighting extensive trafficking networks and enforcement actions from Kachin to Rakhine. Key incidents included major narcotics seizures in Yangon and Mandalay, community-led anti-drug operations in Chin and Shan States, and rising drug use among youth in conflict-affected areas. Cross-border trafficking on the India, Bangladesh, and Thailand borders saw increased confrontations and seizures, while Interpol’s “Lionfish-Mayag II” operation targeted the Golden Triangle, seizing over $1 billion in drugs. These developments reveal escalating regional drug challenges impacting Myanmar’s security and public health.