Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2001
Source: Hindu, The (India)
Copyright: 2001 The Hindu
Contact:  http://www.the-hindu.com/
Author: Our Special Correspondent

HUGE DRUG HAULS CAUSE CONCERN

NEW DELHI, FEB. 20. Though the smuggling and abuse of stimulants and 
synthetic drugs in India is relatively recent, the International Narcotics 
Control Board (INCB) has warned of a new trafficking route being carved out 
along the border with Myanmar in the most vulnerable areas of Mizoram, 
Manipur and Nagaland.

The India-Myanmar border could become a major illicit drug producing area, 
the INCB said in its annual report, released by Ms. Renate Ehmer, UNDCP 
regional representative, here today. The two countries were concerned at 
the large seizures of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine along their border.

The INCB appealed to the authorities in India and Myanmar to strengthen 
cooperation to counter the "disturbing new developments". Field officers 
had been appointed to maintain regular contact with each other and 
facilitate exchange of intelligence on drug trafficking.

The total amount of ephedrine seized in the two countries increased from 
less than 1,000 kg in 1998 to nearly 7,000 kg in 1999. Within the past 
year, Indian authorities reported several seizures of methamphetamine at 
the border of Myanmar. The smuggled amphetamine-type stimulants are 
destined for large Indian cities and, to a lesser extent, illicit markets 
in Europe. There are also links between groups manufacturing stimulants in 
Myanmar and the Netherlands.

Increase In Drug Abuse

"The abuse of illicitly manufactured narcotic drugs and psychotropic 
substances, in particular, codeine-based cough syrups and benzodiazepines, 
appears to have increased in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The main reason 
for that increase seems to have been the lack of uniformity in monitoring 
and compliance with prescription requirements. The growing abuse of 
pharmaceuticals has contributed significantly to the spread of polydrug 
abuse in South Asia," the report said.

Sounding a note of caution on drug trafficking groups expanding their 
network in South Asia, the report said illicit activities of organised 
criminal groups had become varied, involving cross-border smuggling of 
drugs, counterfeit money and arms, ammunition and explosives. "Traffickers 
are exploiting weaknesses of law enforcement systems caused by corruption, 
lack of concern over drug-related matters and lack of human and technical 
resources." Seizures of heroin in South Asia showed that Afghanistan and 
Myanmar were the major sources not only of the heroin smuggled through the 
region, but also of the heroin destined for Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

"Some consignments of heroin are making their way from the border of 
Myanmar into the north-eastern States of India, in particular through 
Moreh, Champai, and Mokokchung. In India, the heroin prices at the border 
with Myanmar are low compared with the prices in other parts," it said.

Threat To Region

Expressing concern over the continuing production of opium in Afghanistan, 
the INCB said the resulting smuggling of opiates and related criminal 
activities in West Asia as a whole might undermine the economic and social 
stability and jeopardise peace and security in the region. One positive 
development, it noted, was the decree issued by the Taliban in July last 
year, banning poppy cultivation.

Heroin processing had virtually disappeared in Pakistan though the goal of 
a zero-poppy harvest last year was not achieved, mainly because of the 
re-emergence of poppy cultivation in the Khyber Agency in 1999.
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