Shan Drug Watch: Druglords in Parliament

Shan State North almost became poppy-free in 2002, when the ruling military junta initiated a rapprochement policy with the United States and a vigorous anti-narcotics campaign was launched. The rapprochement did not work out, but the Kokang (in 2003) and the Wa […]

Shan analysts: Junta militias emerging as new drug lords in Burma

Pro-junta militias operating in Shan State are now the main players in the drug trade, according to new findings by local Shan analysts.

The latest Shan Drug Watch newsletter, issued today, details how the Burmese regime’s War on Drugs has fallen way behind schedule, with 46 of Shan State’s 55 townships still growing opium. This is attributed to the Burma Army’s reliance on taxation of opium, and its policy to allow numerous proxy local militia to deal in drugs, including methamphetamines, in exchange for policing against resistance activity […]

Shan Drug Watch Issue 3

Poppy cultivation is continuing unchecked in 46 of the 55 Shan townships, mostly in areas under the control of the Burma Army and its militias. However, adverse weather conditions caused a massive drop in opium output during the last season. In other words, there is no evidence of sustained effort by the Burmese regime to eradicate opium. On the contrary, opium farmers throughout the state are being taxed by Burma Army units […]