Synthetic Drugs in East and South-East Asia
Trends and Patterns of Amphetamine-type Stimulants and New Psychoactive Substances
Global SMART Programme 2019 March Acknowledgements
This report was prepared by the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, under the supervision of Ms. Angela Me, Chief of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, and Mr. Justice Tettey, Chief of Laboratory and Scientific Section.
Core team
Research and drafting
Martin Raithelhuber Inshik Sim Tun Nay Soe
Graphic design and layout
Akara Umapornsakula Magali Lapouge
Administrative support
Jatupat Buasipreeda
The present report also benefited from the expertise and valuable contributions of UNODC colleagues in the Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
This publication was made possible by the generous contribution of the Governments of Australia, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
DISCLAIMERS This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNODC, Member States or contributory organizations, and nor does it imply any endorsement.
This document has not been formerly edited. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Included in this assessment are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
The regional overview section includes data from Macau, China, Mongolia, and Taiwan Province of China. Synthetic Drugs in East and South-East Asia
Trends and Patterns of Amphetamine-type Stimulants and New Psychoactive Substances
A Report from the Global SMART Programme March 2019
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Contents
General Abbreviations...... i List of Figures, Maps and Tables...... iii Regional trends: East and South-East Asia ...... 1 Summary of major trends and emerging concerns...... 1 Overview of the methamphetamine market...... 1 Overview of the “ecstasy” market...... 11 Overview of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market ...... 12 Brunei Darussalam ...... 17 Cambodia ...... 21 China ...... 25 Indonesia ...... 31 Japan...... 35 Lao PDR ...... 39 Malaysia ...... 43 Myanmar ...... 47 Philippines ...... 51 Republic of Korea...... 55 Singapore ...... 61 Thailand...... 65 Viet Nam ...... 71
General Abbreviations
ARQ Annual report questionnaire ATS Amphetamine-type stimulants BNN National Narcotics Board (Indonesia) CCDAC Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (Myanmar) CNB Central Narcotics Bureau (Singapore) DAINAP Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific DDB Dangerous Drugs Board (Philippines) EWA UNODC Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances HONLEA Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (Asia and the Pacific) IDS Individual Drug Seizures INCB International Narcotics Control Board KCS Korean Customs Service Lao PDR Lao People’s Democratic Republic LCDC Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision MHLW Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) NACD National Authority for Combating Drugs (Cambodia) NADA National Anti-Drugs Agency (Malaysia) NNCC National Narcotics Control Commission (China) NPA National Police Agency (Japan) NPS New Psychoactive Substances ONCB Office of the Narcotics Control Board (Thailand) PDEA Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency RMP Royal Malaysia Police SMART Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting and Trends SMCC Safe Mekong Coordination Center SODC Standing Office on Drugs and Crime (Viet Nam) SPO Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (Republic of Korea) UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
i ii List of Figures, Maps and Tables Figures
Regional trends: East and South-East Asia Figure 1. Potential opium production in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Figure 2. Seizures of methamphetamine in East and South-East Asia, 2013-2018* Figure 3. Proportion of methamphetamine related treatment admissions among all treatment admissions, 2017 Figure 4. Proportion of females among persons admitted to treatment centers for methamphetamine in selected countries in East and South-East Asia, 2017 Figure 5. Seizures of methamphetamine tablets in the East and South-East Asia by country, 2013-2018* Figure 6. Typical retail price of methamphetamine tablet per tablet for selected countries in East and South- East Asia, 2014 and latest year available Figure 7. Seizures of crystalline methamphetamine in East and South-East Asia by sub-region, 2013-2018* Figure 8. Number of methamphetamine manufacturing facilities dismantled in East and South-East Asia, 2013-2018* Figure 9. Photos of methamphetamine production facilities dismantled in Kutkai, North Shan, Myanmar Figure 10. Seizures of methamphetamine in China and South-East Asia, 2013-2018* Figure 11. Photos of major teabag packages found in East, South-East Asia and Oceania Figure 12. Amounts and the number of cases of pseudoephedrine seizures in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Figure 13. Seizures of sodium cyanide in Thailand and Myanmar, 2014-2018 Figure 14. Seizures of “ecstasy” in East and South-East Asia, 2013-2018* Figure 15. Appearance of NPS in East and South-East Asia by substance group, 2008-2018* Figure 16. Proportion of NPS in East and South-East Asia by pharmacological effect, 2008-2018* Figure 17. Seizures of ketamine in East and South-East Asia by sub-region, 2013-2018*
Brunei Darussalam Figure 1. Number of people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities in Brunei Darussalam by drug type, 2013-2018 Figure 2. Number of people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities in Brunei Darussalam by age group, 2018
Cambodia Figure 1. Number of people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities in Cambodia, 2013- 2018* Figure 2. Drug treatment centre admissions in Cambodia by age group, 2017 Figure 3. Number of drug-related arrests* and cases in Cambodia, 2013-2018 Figure 4. Retail prices of methamphetamine tablet in Cambodia in USD, 2013-2017 Figure 5. Retail prices of crystalline methamphetamine in Cambodia in USD, 2013-2017
China Figure 1. Proportion of registered drug users by type of drug used in China, 2013-2018* Figure 2. Proportion of newly registered drug users by type in China, 2017 Figure 3. Number of people registered for using synthetic drug in China, 2013-2017 Figure 4. Number of illicit synthetic drug manufacturing facilities dismantled in China, 2013-2018* Figure 5. Types of NPS identified by the NPS Monitoring Programme of China, 2017 Figure 6. Top 10 synthetic opioids identified by the NPS Monitoring Programme of China, 2017
Hong Kong, China Figure 1. The number of people who use methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin and cocaine in Hong Kong, China, 2013-2018*
iii Indonesia Figure 1. Estimated number of people who used drugs at least once in 2017 and prevalence in Indonesia aged between 10-59 years-old by selected drug type Figure 2. Methamphetamine-related arrests in Indonesia, 2008-2017 Figure 3. Number of illicit amphetaminetype stimulants manufacturing facilities dismantled in Indonesia, 2009-2018* Figure 4. Top 10 NPS identified in seized materials* analysed in Indonesia, 2017 Figure 5. Total number of NPS cases and amounts seized in Indonesia, 2015-2017
Japan Figure 1. Estimated number of people who have used drugs once in their lifetime in Japan, 2015 and 2017 Figure 2. Number of drug-related consultations at health centres in Japan, 2013-2017* Figure 3. Number of drug-related arrests by the National Police Agency of Japan, 2013-2017 Figure 4. Proportion of embarkation points of methamphetamine trafficking to Japan by number, 2013-2017 Figure 5. Seizures of methamphetamine by mode of trafficking in Japan, 2013-2017 Figure 6. Proportion of NPS reported by Japan by substance group, 2008-2018* Figure 7. Number of cases and arrestees related to NPS in Japan, 2013-2017*
Lao PDR Figure 1. Number of cases and arrests for drug-related offences in Lao PDR, 2013-2018 Figure 2. Seizures of unspecified chemicals, 2013-2018
Malaysia Figure 1. Number of people brought into formal contact with authorities for drug use in Malaysia by drug type, 2016-2017 Figure 2. People who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities in Malaysia by age group, 2017 Figure 3. Number of illicit drug manufacturing facilities dismantled in Malaysia by drug type, 2014-2018* Figure 4. Number of methamphetamine tablet related cases and seizures, 2014-2018* Figure 5. Number of crystalline methamphetamine related cases and seizures, 2014-2018*
Myanmar Figure 1. Number of people admitted to drug treatment centres in Myanmar by drug type, 2013-2017 Figure 2. Proportion of persons admitted to drug treatment centres in Myanmar by age group, 2017 Figure 3. Drug related arrests and number of cases, 2013-2018
Philippines Figure 1. Proportions of crystalline methamphetamine related treatment admissions among all treatment admissions, 2013-2017 Figure 2. Methamphetamine related treatment admissions by gender, 2013-2017 Figure 3. Proportions of drug treatment admissions in the Philippines by age group, 2017 Figure 4. Number of drug-related arrests in the Philippines by drug type, 2013-2018*
Republic of Korea Figure 1. Number of people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities in the Republic of Korea by drug type, 2013-2018 Figure 2. Seizures of crystalline methamphetamine in the Republic of Korea, 2013-2018 Figure 3. Number of people brought into formal contact with authorities for supplying drugs in the Republic of Korea by drug type, 2013-2018 Figure 4. Proportions of embarkation points for crystalline methamphetamine seized in the Republic of Korea, 2013-2017 Figure 5. Number of blocked and deleted websites for circulating illicit drugs in the Republic of Korea, 2013- 2017 Figure 6. Proportions of NPS identified in the Republic of Korea by substance type, 2011-2018* iv Singapore Figure 1. Trends in people who use methamphetamine or heroin brought into formal contact with authorities, 2013-2017 Figure 2. People who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities for the first time by drug type, 2017 Figure 3. Number of NPS identified from drug samples analysed by the Health Sciences Authority in Singapore by substance group 2016-2018* Figure 4. Top 10 NPS identified in Singapore by substance, 2017 Figure 5. Top 10 NPS identified in Singapore by substance, 2018*
Thailand Figure 1. Number of drug-related cases and arrests, 2013-2017 Figure 2. Seizures of methamphetamine tablet and crystalline methamphetamine in Thailand, 2013-2018
Viet Nam Figure 1. Number of registered drug users in Viet Nam, 2013-2018* Figure 2. Registered drug users in Viet Nam by drug type, 2018* Figure 3. Types of drugs used by newly registered drug users, 2014-2018* Figure 4. Registered drug users in Viet Nam by age group (percentage), 2018* Figure 5. Number of drug-related cases and arrests in Viet Nam, 2013-2018* Figure 6. Synthetic NPS* identified in Viet Nam by substance group, 2017-2018**
Tables
Regional trends: East and South-East Asia Table 1. Results of methamphetamine samples analyses to identify synthesis route in China, 2013-2018* Table 2. Synthetic opioids identified in East and South-East Asia, 2017-2018
Brunei Darussalam Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Brunei Darussalam, 2013-2018* Table 2. Number of people who use drugs receiving treatment by gender and selected drug types, 2016-2017 Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Brunei Darussalam, 2013-2018 Table 4. Retail prices of selected illicit drugs in Brunei Darussalam in BND (USD), 2018
Cambodia Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Cambodia, 2013-2017* Table 2. Drug treatment centre admissions in Cambodia by drug type and gender, 2017 Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Cambodia, 2013-2018* Table 4. Typical purities of selected drugs in Cambodia (percentage), 2013-2017
China Table 1. Seizures of selected drugs in China, 2013-2018* Table 2. Retail prices of selected drugs in China in USD, 2016-2017
Hong Kong, China Table 1. Seizures of selected drugs in Hong Kong, China, 2013-2017 Table 2. Retail prices of selected drugs in Hong Kong, China, in USD, 2016-2018*
Indonesia Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Indonesia, 2013-2017
v Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Indonesia, 2013-2018* Table 3. Retail prices of selected drugs in Indonesia in USD, 2016-2017 Table 4. Typical purities of crystalline methamphetamine in Indonesia, 2016-2017 (percentage) Table 5. Seizures of selected NPS by substance in Indonesia, 2015-2017 (gram)
Japan Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Japan, 2007-2017 Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Japan, 2013-2018* Table 3. Retail prices of selected drugs in Japan in USD, 2015- 2017
Lao PDR Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Lao PDR, 2013-2018* Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs and chemicals in Lao PDR, 2013-2018 Table 3. Average wholesale or retail prices of selected drugs in Lao PDR, 2017
Malaysia Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Malaysia, 2013-2018* Table 2. Drug treatment admissions by drug type and gender in Malaysia, 2017 Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Malaysia, 2013-2018 Table 4. Trends in wholesale / retail prices of selected drugs in Malaysia in USD, 2014-2018 Table 5. Typical purities of selected drugs in Malaysia, 2018
Myanmar Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Table 3. Proportions of seizures of selected drugs in Myanmar by state, 2018 Table 4. Seizures of selected precursor chemicals in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Table 5. Retail prices of selected drugs in Myanmar in USD, 2016-2018
Philippines Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in the Philippines, 2013-2017 Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs and precursor chemicals in the Philippines, 2013-2018 Table 3. Number of illicit methamphetamine manufacturing facilities dismantled in the Philippines, 2009- 2018 Table 4. Retail prices of selected drugs in the Philippines in USD, 2015-2018 Table 5. Purities of selected drugs analysed in the Philippines, 2016-2017
Republic of Korea Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in the Republic of Korea, 2013-2018* Table 2. Number of people admitted to drug treatment centres in the Republic of Korea, 2013-2017 Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Korea, 2013-2018 Table 4. Purities of crystalline methamphetamine samples analysed in the Republic of Korea, 2016-2018 Table 5. Retail prices ofselected drugs in the Republic of Korea in USD, 2016-2018
Singapore Table 1. Trends in use of specific drugs in Singapore, 2013-2017* Table 2. Drug treatment admissions by drug type in Singapore, 2013-2017 Table 3. Number of people who use drugs admitted to treatment centres by gender and drug type, 2017 Table 4. Seizures of selected illicit drugs in Singapore, 2013-2018*
vi Thailand Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Thailand, 2013-2017* Table 2. Drug treatment admissions in Thailand by drug type, 2013-2017 Table 3. People who underwent treatment services for drug use by gender and by drug type, 2017 Table 4. Seizures of selected drugs in Thailand, 2013-2018 Table 5. Purities of selected drugs analysed in Thailand, January-May 2018 Table 6. Retail prices of selected illicit drugs in Thailand by region in Thai Baht, 2018
Viet Nam Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Viet Nam, 2013-2017* Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Viet Nam, 2013-2018* Table 3. Purities of selected drugs analysed in Viet Nam (percentage), 2017 Table 4. Wholesale and retail prices of selected drugs in Viet Nam in USD, 2017 Table 5. List of synthetic NPS* identified in Viet Nam, 2017-2018**
Maps
Regional trends: East and South-East Asia Map 1. Countries reporting methamphetamine as their primary drug of concern, 2008 and 2018 (or the latest year available) Map 2. Perceived methamphetamine tablet trafficking flows in the Mekong region, 2016-2018 Map 3. Perceived crystalline methamphetamine trafficking flows in East and South-East Asia, 2016-2018 Map 4. Perceived methamphetamine precursor chemical trafficking flows into Myanmar, 2018
Thailand Map 1. Top 10 provinces for methamphetamine tablet seizures in Thailand, January-October 2018
vii viii REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Regional trends: East and South-East Asia
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
• Since the latter part of the 2000s, there has been a strong shift in the drug market in East and South-East Asia, from opiates to methamphetamine. • Seizures of methamphetamine in the region in 2017 amounted to more than 82 tons, by far the largest amount ever reported from the region. Latest available data for 2018 – confirmed by countries in the region mostly by the third quarter of the year1 – show a further substantial increase, reaching 116 tons. • Increased quantities of methamphetamine seizures and decreases in retail prices of the drug in East and South-East Asia suggest that the supply of the drug has expanded. • Methamphetamine related treatment admissions account for a large majority of all drug related treatment admissions in the region. • Transnational organized crime (TOC) groups operating in the region have been increasingly involved in the manufacture and trafficking of methamphetamine and other drugs in the Golden Triangle in recent years. • Substantial quantities of precursor chemicals for methamphetamine have been continuously diverted and trafficked within the region. • While the content of MDMA in “ecstasy”2 tablets found in the region vary from country to country, there have been noticeable increases in the average MDMA content of “ecstasy” tablets found in the region in recent years. • Tablet preparations sold as “ecstasy” but containing substances other than MDMA, including new psychoactive substances (NPS), continued to be found in the region. • Potent synthetic opioids (e.g. fentanyl), implicated in fatalities in other parts of the world, are being identified by some countries in the region. • Annual seizures of ketamine have been declining since 2015, which has been driven by decreases in quantities of the drug seized in China. However, seizures of the drug have been rapidly increasing in several countries in South-East Asia.
Overview of the methamphetamine market 1,2 phetamine. With the exception of Viet Nam, all the 13 countries3 in the region reported methamphetamine as There has been a strong shift in the drug market in their primary drug of concern in 2018 or the latest year East and South-East Asia, from opiates to metham- available, while a decade ago only 5 countries reported that to be the case.4 The shift to methamphetamine has 1 At the time of writing, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, the affected even countries traditionally known to have a Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand - have provided the relatively large market for heroin, such as China and drug seizure data for all of 2018. China, Indonesia, and Singapore have provided the data up-to September 2018, Viet Nam for the first 3 The 13 countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, eleven months of 2018, and Japan for the first half of the year, and Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, the the first eight months for Taiwan Province of China. Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. 2 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” 4 Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific tablets sold as ecstasy in the region. (DAINAP).
1 Global SMART Programme 2019
Map 1. Countries reporting methamphetamine as their primary drug of concern, 2008 and 2018 (or the latest year available)6
Republic Republic Japan China of Korea China of Korea Japan
Myanmar Myanmar Lao PDR Lao PDR Thailand Philippines Thailand Philippines Viet Nam Viet Nam Cambodia Cambodia
Brunei Darussalam Brunei Darussalam Malaysia Malaysia Singapore Singapore
Indonesia Indonesia
2008 2018 or latest year available
Countries reported methamphetamine as their primary drug of concern * Note: Data for the Democratic Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, China, Macau, China, Mongolia and Taiwan Province of China are not available. Source: Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP); Official Communication with Japan and the Republic of Korea, January 2019. Figure 1. Potential opium production in Figure 2. Seizures of methamphetamine in Myanmar, 2013-2018 East and South-East Asia, 2013-2018* 6 1,000 120
100 800 80 600
es (tons) 60 400 Seizur
Amount (tons) 40
200 20
0 0 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Note: *Data for 2018 include only those confirmed by countries in the Note: Data for 2016 are not available. region. For more information, see footnote 1 of the report. Source: UNODC, Myanmar Opium Survey 2018 and previous Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years years. for Hong Kong, China; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Macau, China; UNODC ARQ 2016 and previous years for Malaysia. In Malaysia, the number of methampheta- Mongolia; Official communication with the National Police mine users detected by law enforcement authorities Agency (NPA), Japan, January 2019; Official communication with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (SPO), the Republic of surpassed that of heroin users for the first time in Korea, February 2019; The Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2017.5 Taiwan Province of China, “September 2018 drug statistics”, September 2018.
5 Data for 2018 was available for Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Data for 2017 was used for the rest of countries. 6 DAINAP.
2 REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Figure 3. Proportion of methamphetamine Figure 4. Proportion of females among related treatment admissions among all persons admitted to treatment centers for treatment admissions, 2017 methamphetamine in selected countries in
100 East and South-East Asia, 2017 25
80 20
60 15
40 oporon (%) Pr 10 20
5 0 m s e rea ysia apor Ko anmar None Lao PDR Thailand Sing Mala My 0 Cambodia Philippine re m a s R sia gapo anmar Thailand Lao PD Malay My Brunei Darussala Republic of Sin Cambodia Indonesi Philippine Viet Nam Methamphetamine Other drugs Brunei Darussala
* Note: Data for 2015 were used for Lao PDR. * Note: Data for 2015 was used for Lao PDR and data for 2016 was Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 for Myanmar; used for Indonesia and Viet Nam. UNODC ARQ 2017 for the Republic of Korea. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 for Myanmar.
Evidence shows a steep decrease in potential amounts of treatment than men. In 2016, globally and across opium produced in Myanmar, the largest opium poppy all drug types one in three drug users were women, producer in the region. Between 2013 and 2018, there while women accounted only for one in five people 10 has been a 40% decrease in the estimated amount of in treatment. opium produced in the country. On the other hand, the over 116 tons of confirmed methamphetamine seizures in Seizures of methamphetamine continue to follow the region in 2018 represents a 210% increase compared upward trends, both in terms of tablet and in to seizures in 2013. crystalline form. The amount of methamphetamine tablets seized annually in East and South-East Asia Several countries in the region, including Brunei, continues to increase every year. In 2017, seizures of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, report methamphetamine tablets in the region amounted to an upward trend in the number of methamphetamine nearly 450 million tablets, a 40% increase compared users brought into formal contact with authorities for to the preceding year.11 Confirmed amounts of the drug use.7 In addition, the number of registered drug drug seized by countries in the region in 2018 already users for methamphetamine in China and Viet Nam exceeded the total reported in 2017 by far, reaching also continued to increase in recent years.8 745 million tablets,12 with Thailand accounting for more than 515 million tablets .13 It is worthy of note In 2017, methamphetamine related treatment that the amount seized in Thailand in 2018 is 17 times admissions continued to account for a large majority larger than the combined amount of the drug seized of all treatment admissions in several countries in a decade ago (29.8 million tablets) by all countries East and South-East Asia. This included countries in East and South-East Asia.14 The steep increase in such as Myanmar, who traditionally have a larger annual seizures of methamphetamine in the region proportion of other drug related admissions, other appears to have been largely driven by the quantities of than methamphetamine.9 individual seizures of the drug had become larger. The market for methamphetamine tablets remains largely The proportion of women and girls entering treatment 10 UNODC, World Drug Report 2018, June 2018. is quite low in many countries in the region. This 11 DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 for Japan; UNODC ARQ 2017 for the Republic of Korea. may be an indication of women having less access to 12 DAINAP; Official communication with NPA, Japan, January 2019; Official communication with SPO, the Republic of Korea, February 7 For more information, see respective country chapters in the 2019. report. 13 Official communication with the Office of Narcotics Control 8 Ibid. Board (ONCB) of Thailand, January 2019. 9 Ibid. 14 DAINAP.
3 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 5. Seizures of methamphetamine Figure 6. Typical retail price of metham- tablets in the East and South-East Asia by phetamine tablet per tablet for selected country, 2013-2018* countries in East and South-East Asia,
800,000,000 2014 and latest year available
700,000,000 12
600,000,000 10 ) 500,000,000 blets) 8 400,000,000 blet (US$ ta China 6
es (Number of ta 300,000,000 Lao PDR
Seizur 4 200,000,000 Myanmar Thailand il price per ta
100,000,000 Other countries Re 2
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* 0
Note: * Data for 2018 include only those confirmed by countries in sia (2014)sia (2018) anmar (2014)anmar (2017) the region. For more information, see footnote 1 of the report. CambodiaCambodia (2014) (2017)Malay Malay My My Thailand Thailand(2014) (2018) Source(s): UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Hong Kong, China; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Macau, Note: The high-low bars represent the upper and lower limits of the China; DAINAP; Official communication with NPA, Japan, price ranges for those countries which reported such ranges in addition January 2019; Official communication with SPO, the Republic to the typical price. of Korea, February 2019. Source(s): DAINAP amount reported in 2015 (34.7 tons).17 Preliminary confined within the Greater Mekong Sub-region, as data for 2018 show a further substantial increase, with more than 99% of methamphetamine tablets seized countries in the region reporting at least 48 tons of annually in East and South-East Asia have been seized drug. The six Mekong countries18 accounted 15 reported from the sub-region over the last decade. for 72 % of the total crystalline methamphetamine seizures between 2013 and 2018. The typical purity of methamphetamine tablets found in East and South-East Asia has been relatively stable, The average purity of crystalline methamphetamine 16 mostly within the range of 15 and 25 % , albeit with in East and South-East Asia continues to remain high. some inter-country variation. On the other hand, For instance, Thailand reported that the vast majority the retail price of methamphetamine tablet has been (91%) of samples analysed in the country in 2017 had decreasing in several countries in the region in recent purities over 90%.19 China also reported the average years. The steep increases in seizures, stable purity and purity of crystalline methamphetamine samples (N = decreasing retail prices of methamphetamine tablets 3,377) analysed in the country in 2017 was 89%.20 might be indicative of ‘oversupply’ of the drug within Other countries in the region – Brunei Darussalam, the region. Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Viet Nam – in 2017 had purities between 70 – 80%.21 While purity Data on seizure, price and purity also show the has remained high, the retail price of crystalline expansion of the crystalline methamphetamine market methamphetamine in several countries in the region, in East and South-East Asia. With the exception of 17 DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Hong Kong, 2016, seizures of the drug in the region have been China; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Macau, China; expanding every year over the last decade. In 2017, UNODC ARQ 2016 and previous years for Mongolia; Official com- munication with NPA, Japan, January 2019; Official communication a total of 39.4 tons of crystalline methamphetamine with SPO, the Republic of Korea, February 2019; The Ministry of were seized in the region, surpassing the previous record Health and Welfare, Taiwan Province of China, “September 2018 drug statistics”, September 2018. 18 The six Mekong countries are Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myan- mar, Thailand and Viet Nam. 19 ONCB, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in Thailand”, pre- sented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang 15 Ibid. Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 16 For instance, about 99% of 146.3 million methamphetamine 20 NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented tablets analysed in Thailand during the first five months of 2018 were at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, within the range of 15 – 25%. In addition, based on the typical purity Thailand, August 2018. of methamphetamine tablets analysed in China in 2017 was 17%. 21 DAINAP.
4 REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Figure 7. Seizures of crystalline metham- Figure 8. Number of methamphetamine phetamine in East and South-East Asia by manufacturing facilities dismantled in East sub-region, 2013-2018* and South-East Asia, 2013-2018*
50,000 600
40,000 500
400 30,000 Number 300
es (kg) 20,000 200 Seizur 10,000 100
0 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018*
Six Mekong countries Other countries in the region Note: * Data for 2018 cover the first ten months of the year. Source (s): DAINAP; Country Reports presented by national Note: * Data for 2018 include only those confirmed by countries in authorities at the 10th Regional SMART workshop, Chiang the region. For more information, see footnote 1 of the report. Rai, Thailand, August 2018; and Country Reports presented Source(s): Source(s): UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years by national authorities at the High-level Regional Precursor for Hong Kong, China; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years Conference, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar, November 2018. for Macau, China; UNODC ARQ 2016 and previous years for Mongolia; DAINAP; Official communication with NPA, Japan, number of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories January 2019; Official communication with SPO, the Republic of dismantled decreased by nearly 60% between 2015 Korea, February 2019. and 2017. Preliminary data for 2018, up to October, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, showed a further substantial decline.24 Although Myanmar, and Thailand, has decreased in recent years.22 there is no comprehensive data to assess the scale of manufacture of the dismantled methamphetamine Overall, available data in East and South-East facilities, the trend may indicate an overall reduction Asia suggest a glut of methamphetamine in the in the availability of the drug in the country. region. To some extent, improved law enforcement activities in the region can explain increases in The persistent downward trend observed in the number of seizures of methamphetamine in recent years, yet dismantled methamphetamine manufacturing facilities the unprecedented amounts of methamphetamine in East and South-East Asia together with increasing seized in 2018 by so many countries at the same time seizures may indicate the presence of undetected large- suggests an uninterrupted supply of the drug. scale clandestine manufacturing facilities or clusters of small-scale manufacturing facilities. The number of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories23 dismantled in East and South-East Asia Data on seizures and prices suggest that the continued to increase from 2008 to 2015, reaching methamphetamine market in China has contracted its peak with 526 laboratories dismantled in the latter while the market outside China has expanded. The year. However, since its peak in 2015, the number has intensified law enforcement operations in China has been declining every year, and the preliminary figure led to a spike in the typical wholesale price for 1 kg of for 2018 reported from the region represents a 75% crystalline methamphetamine illicitly manufactured decrease compared to that of 2015. in the country from US $ 2,910 in 2015 to US $ 21,800 in 2018, indicating a shortage of the substance The decreases have been mainly driven by the number in the domestic market.25,26 On the other hand, reported from the Government of China where the 24 National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) of China, “Pre- cursor chemicals in China”, presented at the High-level Regional Con- 22 See respective country chapters in the report. ference on Precursor Control, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar November 2018. 23 The number of dismantled facilities manufacturing metham- 25 NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented phetamine is an important indicator to assess the level of supply at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, of the drug although there are several limitations, especially when Thailand, August 2018. there is limited information for the scale of dismantled facilities. 26 According to the Government of China, N-isopropylbenzylamine Nonetheless, it provides a good understanding of the extent of drug has been increasingly used as a substitute of methamphetamine due production. to its decreases in domestic supply of the drug in the country.
5 Global SMART Programme 2019
wholesale prices for methamphetamine manufactured and Thailand. For instance, methamphetamine tablets in the Golden Triangle has decreased, suggesting an seized in 2018 in Thailand alone amounted to 515 oversupply. For example, Viet Nam authorities have million tablets, larger than the combined seizures of reported a price of US $ 8,000 for 1 kg of crystalline the drug reported from all countries in the region in methamphetamine perceived to have originated any preceding year.29 from the Golden Triangle in 2017, down from the US $ 13,500 reported in 2016.27 The lower price Data on seizures of methamphetamine by province of methamphetamine manufactured in the Golden in Thailand suggest a notable change in trafficking Triangle in comparison to the rest of the region could patterns of methamphetamine sourced from the have led TOC groups, including Taiwanese TOC Golden Triangle with intensified flows of crystalline groups, to increasingly source the drug from the methamphetamine into Malaysia. In 2018, quantities Golden Triangle. of crystalline methamphetamine seized in the Southern part of the country, close to Malaysia, accounted for Figure 9. Photos of methamphetamine production facilities dismantled in Kutkai, North Shan, Myanmar
Note: Photo was contributed by CCDAC, Myanmar. Law enforcement operations in the Golden one-third of the entire seizures of the drug, while the Triangle gives evidence to large quantities of corresponding figure for 2013 was only 7%. methamphetamine, as well as other synthetic drugs, being produced there. Between February and March The diverging trends of the methamphetamine 2018, Myanmar authorities dismantled six large scale markets in China and in the Golden Triangle is drug manufacture facilities in Kutkai, Northern Shan visible also in the trafficking patterns of crystalline State. Based on the chemical precursors and substances found, the facilities appeared to have been used in the Figure 10. Seizures of methamphetamine manufacture of methamphetamine and ketamine. in China and South-East Asia, 2013-2018* In total, more than 1.2 million methamphetamine tablets, 259 kg of crystalline methamphetamine, 2,350 120,000 kg of ketamine and various precursor chemicals were 100,000 28 seized. Prior to these, almost all methamphetamine 80,000 g)
facilities dismantled in the country were tablet (k es 60,000 ur
production facilities. iz Se 40,000
With the surge in methamphetamine production in the 20,000
Golden Triangle, annual seizures of methamphetamine 0 have increased significantly in countries in the 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Mekong region, in particular Lao PDR, Myanmar China South-East Asia Note: *Data for 2018 include only those confirmed by countries in the 27 SODC, “Increasing drug flows and production in the Golden region. For more information, see footnote 1 of the report. Triangle”, presented at the Transnational Organized Crime Conference Source(s): DAINAP. in Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDR, November 2018. 28 CCDAC, “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the 29 DAINAP; Official Communication with ONCB, Thailand, January 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 2019.
6 REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Map 2. Perceived methamphetamine tablet trafficking flows in the Mekong region, 2016- 2018
CHINA INDIA BANGLADESH
MYANMAR LAO PDR
THAILAND
VIETNAM CAMBODIA
INDONESIA MALAYSIA Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Source(s): UNODC elaboration based on information from responses to ARQ 2016 and 2017; Country presentations presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and the Mekong Drugs and Precursor Trafficking Route Analysis workshop, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam, April 2018. methamphetamine. If in 2015, China and Hong years. For instance, between 2016 and 2018 (August), Kong, China, were the top two embarkation points seizures of methamphetamine tablets made in the Lao for methamphetamine trafficked to Australia, in PDR- Thailand border areas increased by 75%, from 2017, Thailand and Malaysia ranked the second and 5.1 million tablets to 21 million tablets.32 the third respectively, after the United States.30,31 Increasing illicit flows of methamphetamine tablets Lao PDR has also been increasingly targeted as a westward from the Golden Triangle, in particular into transit point for methamphetamine trafficked within Bangladesh, have been continuously noted in recent and from the region. Seizures of methamphetamine, years. According to the Government of Myanmar, in particular its tablet form, made along the border about one-third of all methamphetamine tablets seized with Thailand have significantly increased in recent 32 Safe Mekong Coordination Centre (SMCC), “Overview of Drug 30 UNODC, ARQ 2017 for Australia. Situation in the Golden Triangle & the Mekong Region” presented at the 31 UNODC, ARQ 2015 for Australia. 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
7 Global SMART Programme 2019
Map 3. Perceived crystalline methamphetamine trafficking flows in East and South-East Asia, 2016-2018
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Republic of Korea Japan
! East China Sea China India Taiwan Province of China Myanmar Lao PDR South China Sea
Bay of Thailand Philippines Bengal Viet Nam Cambodia
Brunei Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia Java Sea
Timor Leste
Timor Sea To New Zealand Australia Coral Sea
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Source(s): UNODC elaboration based on information from responses to ARQ 2016 and 2017; Country presentations presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and the Mekong Drugs and Precursor Trafficking Route Analysis workshop, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam, April 2018.
in 2018 were found in Rakhine state, indicating large there were two large scale crystalline methamphetamine flows of the drug from Myanmar to Bangladesh.33 trafficking cases in the vicinity of Riau Islands of Seizures of methamphetamine tablets in Bangladesh Indonesia, which resulted in seizures of more than in 2017 amounted to more than 40 million tablets, 2.6 tons of the drug, believed to have originated from representing a 42% increase compared to the figure the Golden Triangle.35 Those arrested in both cases reported in 2013.34 were members of Taiwanese TOC groups, which have been playing a significant role in methamphetamine Recently, there have been several large-scale manufacturing and trafficking in the region. Several methamphetamine trafficking cases in the maritime countries in the region and neighbouring countries, domain reported by countries in the region, including including Australia, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, the Indonesia, Japan, as well as Australia. For instance, 35 National Narcotics Board (BNN) of Indonesia, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Indonesia”, pre- 33 Official communication with Central Committee for Drug Abuse sented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, Control (CCDAC) of Myanmar, February 2019. August 2018. 34 UNODC ARQ 2013 and 2017 for Bangladesh.
8 REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, have Mexico in recent years. Some quantities of the drug also reported arrests of members of Taiwanese TOC originating from North America have also been seized groups for methamphetamine trafficking cases over in the Philippines. During the first half of 2018, 27 the last two years.36 parcel posts containing crystalline methamphetamine were seized in the country, with 26 of these reported Seizures data indicate that the trafficking of crystalline to have been sent from California, the United States.40 methamphetamine is largely within the region, but there is also evidence of some trafficking with outside The chemical masking of methamphetamine to evade the region. Crystalline methamphetamine trafficking detection has been noted in recent years in seizures Box story. Crystalline methamphetamine trafficked in teabag packages
In East and South-East Asia, teabag packages have been used by TOC groups for some years to conceal crystalline methamphetamine for trafficking. A persistent trend observed across several countries in East and South-East Asia and neighboring Oceania is the use of particular teabag packages.
Figure 11. Photos of major teabag packages found in East, South-East Asia and Oceania
Note: Photo was contributed by ONCB, Thailand.
During the first seven months of 2018, Thai authorities seized more than 12,000 teabag packages containing crystalline methamphetamine, suggesting the wide use of teabag packages in the Golden Triangle.42 Trafficking case information from other countries in East and South-East Asia also strongly indicates that to be the case. flows from the Mekong region to Israel for example, in Australia, Japan and New Zealand.41 The masked have been noted in recent years. According to data product, based on a reaction of methamphetamine with from the World Customs Organization’s Regional tert-butyl methyl(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)carbamate Intelligence Liaison Office – Asia Pacific (WCO (t-BOC), is easily converted to methamphetamine by RILO-AP), methamphetamine trafficked from Lao treating it with sulphuric acid. PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam to Israel were recorded in the top 10 trafficking routes of the drug in Asia and Forensic data, albeit limited, from countries in the region the Pacific by number in 2017.37 indicate that ephedrine and pseudoephedrine42remain the major precursor chemicals used in the manufacture Japan38 and the Republic of Korea39 have reported of methamphetamine in the region. A large majority seizures of methamphetamine originating from 40 Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) & Philippine Drug Enforcement outside the region: North America, in particular from Agency (PDEA), “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to 36 Country presentations delivered by AFP of Australia, NPA of the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Work- Japan, SPO of the Republic of Korea, PDEA of the Philippines, NADA shop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. & RMP of Malaysia, ONCB of Thailand, and NACD of Cambodia, at the 41 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), “Latest situ- 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. ation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan Part 37 In 2017, a total of 553 methamphetamine trafficking cases were II”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, reported from countries in Asia and the Pacific to the Custom En- Thailand, August 2018; Australian Federal Police (AFP), “Precursor forcement Network (CEN) database, an online global seizure database control in Australia”, presented at the High-level Regional Conference among customs authorities. on Precursor Control, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar November 2018. 38 For more information, see the respective country chapter in the 42 Both chemicals have widespread legitimate use in the phar- report. maceutical industry, in bulk form and in the form of pharmaceutical 39 Ibid. preparations.
9 Global SMART Programme 2019
of methamphetamine samples analysed in China in from Cambodia and analysed in Thailand in 2018 recent years appear to have been manufactured with indicated P-2-P based manufacturing methods. ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. One of the 38 Types of chemicals seized in Myanmar also show methamphetamine samples analysed in Indonesia in P-2-P based methamphetamine manufacturing 2018 was a racemic mixture of methamphetamine,43 methods have been used in the Golden Triangle. showing the use of 1-phenyl-2-propanone (P-2-P) as the precursor used in the manufacture of the In recent years, there are indications that Lao PDR sample.44 A large proportion of methamphetamine may have been increasingly targeted as a transit samples analysed in recent years in Australia and the country for chemicals used in the manufacture of Republic of Korea, both of which seize substantial methamphetamine. In 2018, a record amount of over quantities of the drug originating from the region, 5 tons of chemicals was seized in the country. Due to were determined to have been manufactured from limited forensic capacity in the country, the identities ephedrine/pseudoephedrine.45 of the seized chemicals have not been established.
Table 1. Results of methamphetamine The use of pre-precursors for manufacturing samples analyses to identify synthesis methamphetamine in order to circumvent national route in China, 2013-2018* and international precursor control frameworks has been a challenge for countries in the region. In 2017, Year Ephedrine P-2-P Chinese authorities seized 206 tons of 2-bromo-1- 2013 91.9% 7.6% phenyl-1-propanone (2-Bromopropiophenone), a 2014 96.5% 3.4% chemical which is not under the international control 2015 95.0% 5.0% but can be used for the illicit manufacture of ephedrine. 2016 99.4% 0.5% Figure 12. Amounts and the number of 2017 98.4% 1.6% cases of pseudoephedrine seizures in 2018* 93.0% 4.5% Myanmar, 2013-2018 Note: * Data up-to the 1st half of 2018. The exact number of methamphetamine samples analysed each year is not available. 80 NNCC has informed that about 6,000 methamphetamine samples 40,000,000 70 are analysed annually. 35,000,000 Source: NNCC, “Precursor Chemicals in China: Regulation, 30,000,000 60
blets) 50 s Enforcement Capacity & Trafficking Trends”, presented at ta 25,000,000
the High Level Regional Precursor Conference, Nay Phi Taw, 20,000,000 40 30 15,000,000 Myanmar, November 2018. es (number of 20 Number of case
Seizur 10,000,000 10 However, in recent years there have been strong 5,000,000 0 0 * * indications of increased use of P-2-P to manufacture 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 methamphetamine in the region. According to the Amounts Number of cases Office of Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, 189 Note: The amount of pseudoephedrine found in each tablet varies. out of 265 crystalline methamphetamine samples Source: DAINAP; CCDAC “Synthetic drug situation in analysed between 2017 and January 2019 appeared Myanmar”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, to have been manufactured with P-2-P as the Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; CCDAC, “Myanmar starting material. Additionally, about 82 % of the country report”, presented at UNODC 42nd Meeting of Heads of total methamphetamine samples (N = 17) collected National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP), Bangkok, Thailand October 2018. CCDAC, 43 Manufacturing methamphetamine with P-2-P as the base “Precursor Chemicals in Myanmar: Regulation, Enforcement material would yield result in the racemic (50:50) mixture of d- and Capacity & Trafficking Trends”, presented at the High Level l-methamphetamine barring any further attempt to enrich d-isomer, which is more potent than l-isomer. On the other hand, ephedrine/ Regional Precursor Conference, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar, pseudoephedrine based methamphetamine synthetic routes would November 2018. yield d-methamphetamine. 44 BNN, “Methamphetamine impurity profiling result”, December 2018. 45 Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Illicit Drug Data Report 2016 – 2017; SPO, the Republic of Korea, “Metham- phetamine impurity profiling result”, presented at the 28th Anti-Drug Liaison Officials’ Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), Busan, the Republic of Korea, September 2018.
10 REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Since 2016, significant quantities of sodium cyanide Figure 13. Seizures of sodium cyanide in (NaCN) have been seized in Myanmar and Thailand en Thailand and Myanmar, 2014-2018 route to the Golden Triangle. Sodium cyanide is a non- scheduled chemical at the international level, but could 80,000 70,000 be used as a pre-pre-precursor for methamphetamine. 60,000 However, there has been no concrete evidence that 50,000 sodium cyanide has been used for the manufacture of es (kg) 40,000 30,000
methamphetamine in the Golden Triangle. Seizur 20,000 10,000 0 Map 4. Perceived methamphetamine 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 precursor chemical trafficking flows into Thailand Myanmar Myanmar, 2018 Note: The Thailand figures for 2016 and 2017 include the amount of sodium cyanide confiscated. Source: CCDAC, “Precursor Chemicals in Myanmar: Regulation, Enforcement Capacity & Trafficking Trends”, presented at Kachin the High Level Regional Precursor Conference, Nay Phi Taw, INDIA Myanmar, November 2018; Official communication with ONCB Myitkyina of Thailand, January 2019. CHINA BANGLADESH Tamu
Muse Sagaing Overview of the “ecstasy” market Kut Kai
Lashio Haka Wa The “ecstasy” market in East and South-East Asia Chin Monywa Pyin U Lwin Pan Hsang Mongyai Tangyan remains small compared to the methamphetamine Mandalay Shan Mong La Kyaing Tong Loilem Mandalay Kengtung market. Limited data from countries in the region Taunggyi Mong Yawng Meiktila Sittwe Magway LAO show that the problematic use of “ecstasy” accounted Tachileik Nay Pyi Taw PDR Rakhine Magway ! for a very small proportion of all drug-related treatment Loikaw From 46 Kayah admissions. Similar to previous years, in 2017, none Pyay Viet Nam of countries in the region reported “ecstasy” as one of Bago Kayin THAILAND the top three commonly used drugs, with the exception Bago of Indonesia, which listed the drug as the third most Yangon Hpa-An Pathein Myawaddy 47 Ayeyarwaddy Yangon widely used. However, “ecstasy” use was perceived Mawlamyine Mon to have increased in several countries in the region Bay of Gulf of Bengal Martaban in 2017, including Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. In addition, crystalline
Andaman Sea Dawei MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine),
Tanintharyi generally considered to be purer than “ecstasy” tablets, appears to be available in the region.48
Gulf of The manufacture of “ecstasy” doesn’t seem to be Thailand widespread in East and South-East Asia. In 2017, 0 100 200 300 400 Km Kawthoung only three countries in the region - China, Malaysia Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used and Viet Nam - reported to have seized “ecstasy” on the map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the manufacture facilities. However, it is important United Nations. to note that Viet Nam authorities reported to have Source: UNODC elaboration based on information from seized a relatively large-scale “ecstasy” manufacture CCDAC, “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam, August 46 For instance, about 1% of all drug related treatment admissions 2017; CCDAC, “Precursor Chemicals in Myanmar: Regulation, in Malaysia and the Philippines in 2017 were “ecstasy” related, and Enforcement Capacity & Trafficking Trends”, presented at the corresponding figure for Singapore was less than 1%. the High Level Regional Precursor Conference, Nay Pyi Taw, 47 UNODC ARQ 2017 for Indonesia. Myanmar, November 2018. 48 For instance, according to data on seized material samples of Indonesia in 2017, there were two samples of crystalline MDMA; National Narcotics Board (BNN), “Samples submitted to BNN’s lab”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thai- land, August 2018.
11 Global SMART Programme 2019
facility in 2017, which resulted in seizures of 400 large seizure made in Indonesia from the Netherlands, kg of “ecstasy” tablets, 85 kg of the drug in powder in August 2018, Cambodian authorities seized about form and some quantities of safrole, a precursor 98 kg of “ecstasy”, the largest amount ever seized in for manufacturing ecstasy.49 A clandestine MDA50 the country.54 Germany was the departure point of the (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) laboratory was drug but the origin remains unknown.55 In addition, dismantled in Jakarta in 2017, and according to Philippine authorities reported a seizure of 14,720 national authorities the substance was used in mixture tablets of “ecstasy” trafficked from France in August 51 with water for clubs in the country. 2017.56
In 2017, a total of approximately 9 million “ecstasy” The average content of MDMA in “ecstasy” tablets tablets were seized in East and South-East Asia. This found in the region varies from country to country, represents a significant increase compared to the three yet there have been noticeable increases across preceding years when around 3 million tablets were countries in the MDMA content of “ecstasy” tablets. seized annually. One of main reasons for the steep Several countries in the region, including Cambodia rise is a single trafficking case related to 1.2 million and Indonesia, reported “ecstasy” tablets with nearly tablets trafficked from the Netherlands and seized in 57 52 50% of MDMA content. Within the region, limited Indonesia. Indonesia alone accounts for more than forensic data indicate a trend towards high dose 40% of the total “ecstasy” seizures reported in the MDMA in “ecstasy” tablets similar to what has been region between 2013 and 2017, followed by China observed in Europe. (28%) and Malaysia (14%).53
“Ecstasy” flows from other regions to East and South- Overview of the new psychoactive substances East Asia continue to be reported. In addition to the (NPS) market
Figure 14. Seizures of “ecstasy” in East and Between 2008 and 2018, a total of 434 different NPS South-East Asia, 2013-2018* were reported by countries in East and South-East Asia, almost half of the 891 different NPS reported for 10,000,000 the same period at the global level. The total number
8,000,000 of NPS reported by countries in the region peaked in
s 2015 but has been declining since, consistent with the
blet 6,000,000 global NPS trend.
4,000,000 Synthetic cannabinoids (136) and synthetic
Number of ta 2,000,000 cathinones (98) accounted for more than 50% of the total number of NPS identified in the region, 0 followed by phenethylamines (68). Globally, synthetic 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* cannabinoids also constitute the largest category in Note: * Data for 2018 include only those confirmed by countries in terms of the number of substances reported to the the region. For more information, see footnote 1 of the report. UNODC.58 The synthetic cannabinoids account Source(s): UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Hong Kong, for largest proportion of the total number of NPS China; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Macau, China; identified in Japan and Republic of Korea. However, UNODC ARQ 2016 and previous years for Mongolia; DAINAP; Official communication with NPA, Japan, January 2019; Official Indonesia and Viet Nam continue to report an communication with SPO, the Republic of Korea, February 2019; The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan Province of China, 54 NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the “September 2018 drug statistics”, September 2018. 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 55 Ibid. 49 SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 56 Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) & Philippine Drug Enforcement 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. Agency (PDEA), “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to 50 MDA is an analogue of MDMA. the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Work- 51 BNN, “Precursor control in Indonesia”, presented at the shop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. High-level Regional Precursor Conference, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar, 57 National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), “Synthetic drug November 2018. situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Work- 52 BNN, “Country presentation”, presented at the Mekong Drugs shop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; BNN, “Samples submitted to and Precursor Trafficking Route Analysis workshop, Ho Chi Minh City, BNN’s lab”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang April 2018. Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 53 DAINAP. 58 UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS.
12 REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Figure 15. Appearance of NPS in East and South-East Asia by substance group, 2008- 2018* 300
250 Aminoindanes Phencyclidine-type substances 200 Phenethylamines Piperazines 150 Plant-based substances Number Synthec cannabinoids 100 Synthec cathinones Tryptamines 50 Other substances
0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017* 2018*
Note: * Based on the analysis of 434 NPS. Data for 2017 and 2018 are preliminary. Source(s): UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS; Country Reports presented by national authorities at the 10th Regional SMART workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. increasing number of synthetic cannabinoid seizures.59 Figure 16. Proportion of NPS in East and South-East Asia by pharmacological effect, In terms of pharmacological effects, substances with 2008-2018* stimulant effects (including most of the synthetic 5% cathinones) are the most reported (170), followed by 5% Cannabinoid receptor agonist the cannabinoid receptor agonists (136). A wide variety 31% Dissociave/Anaesthec of substances with stimulant effects were reported by Hallucinogen 60 Sedave hypnoc Japan (131), followed by China (68). The high 39% Smulant number of substances with stimulant effect could 4% relate to the existing large regional amphetamine-type Synthec opioid receptor agonist 14% Unassigned stimulants (ATS) market where NPS could be used 2% as substation or as complementary to the controlled substances. Note: * Based on the analysis of 434 NPS. Data for 2017 and 2018 are preliminary. Source(s): UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS; Country Synthetic opioids, some of which have been Reports presented by national authorities at the 10th Regional implicated in overdose deaths outside the region, SMART workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. especially in North America, are being identified in the region, particularly in China and Japan. The opioids to maximize their profits. Given the limited number of synthetic opioids reported to the UNODC forensic capacity of several countries in the region to Early Warning Advisory by countries in the region has identify these substances, such a development could risen from only 3 substances in 2013 to 19 substances go underreported. in 2018. There is a paucity of information on the use of these synthetic opioids in the region with The region is frequently perceived as a source of NPS a considerable heroin market, there are risks that trafficked to other parts of the world. Information traffickers might substitute heroin with synthetic on the use of most NPS in the region is limited, but opioids or adulterate the heroin supply with synthetic available forensic information indicates that tablets 59 Country reports presented by Member States during the 2018 sold as “ecstasy” or under various street names include Annual SMART Workshop for East and South-East Asia in Chiang Rai, a wide variety of NPS rather than MDMA/MDEA”. Thailand. 60 UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS; Country Reports pre- sented by national authorities at the th10 Regional SMART workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
13 Global SMART Programme 2019
Table 2. Synthetic opioids identified in East 54 in 2017.65 On the other hand, annual seizures of and South-East Asia, 2017-2018 ketamine in several countries in the region, including Substance name Year reported Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand, have 66 2,2’-Difluorofentanyl 2017 been increasing rapidly in recent years. 2-Methylacetylfentanyl 2017 There has been a proliferation of the illicit manufacture 4-Fluoroisobutyrfentanyl 2017 of ketamine in South-East Asia, which may have Acrylfentanyl 2017 been related to the decrease in the illicit production Benzylfentanyl 2017 of ketamine in China. Based on substances found Butyrfentanyl 2017 at drug manufacture sites dismantled in Myanmar Cyclopropylfentanyl 2017 in early 2018, a total of 2,350 kg of ketamine were Furanylfentanyl 2017 seized in the country.67 Several drug trafficking cases Methoxyacetylfentanyl 2017 have been reported in recent years from Thailand U-47700 2017 involving seizures of ketamine together with other U-48800 2017 drugs, such as methamphetamine and heroin, originating in the Golden Triangle.68 Viet Nam also 4-Chloroisobutyrfentanyl 2018 reported to have dismantled small-scale clandestine 4-Fluoroisobutyrfentanyl 2018 ketamine laboratories in 2017 and during the first Cyclopropylfentanyl 2018 half of 201869, and Malaysia seized its first ever illicit Methoxyacetylfentanyl 2018 ketamine manufacturing facility in 2016.70 Tetrahydrofuranylfentanyl 2018 Source(s): UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS; Country Figure 17. Seizures of ketamine in East and Reports presented by national authorities at the 10th Regional South-East Asia by sub-region, 2013-2018* SMART workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
25,000 Seizures of the psychoactive plants kratom61 and khat62 continue to be reported in the region. In 2018, 20,000
Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand reported almost 15,000 63 400 tons of seized kratom. Seizures of khat, were es (kg) 10,000 reported by Cambodia, Hong Kong, China, Republic Seizur
of Korea and Viet Nam in the past two years. While 5,000 there are indications of the use of kratom in the region, 0 there is no reported use of khat. 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* China, Hong kong, China, and Taiwan Province of China Rest of countries in E/SE Asia Annual seizures of ketamine in East and South-East Note: * 2018 data include only amounts confirmed by countries in the Asia have been declining since 2015 when the record region. For more information, see footnote 1 of the report. amount of the drug was seized in the region. The Source(s): DAINAP; Official communication with NPA, January downward trend in annual ketamine seizures in the 2019; Official communication with SPO, February 2019. region is largely due to a significant drop in quantities 65 NNCC, “Precursor chemicals in China”, presented at the High- seized in China where there have been some indications level Regional Conference on Precursor Control, Nay Phi Taw, Myan- mar November 2018. of the decreased availability of the drug in recent years. 66 DAINAP; For more information, see respective country chapters. Between 2015 and 2017, annual seizures of ketamine 67 CCDAC, “Myanmar country presentation”, ONCB “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional in China decreased by more than 60%, from 19.6 Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 64 tons to 7.3 tons , and there was a 40% decrease in 68 For instance, on 26th July 2018, Thai authorities seized 100 kg of the number of dismantled clandestine ketamine ketamine alongside with 11.8 million methamphetamine tablets and 600 kg of crystalline methamphetamine in Singburi, Thailand; Narcot- laboratories during the same period: 97 in 2015 to ic Suppression Bureau (NSB) of Royal Thai Police, Thailand,” Country Report” presented at the 28th Anti-Drug Liaison Officials’ Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), Busan, the Republic of Korea, 61 Mitragyna speciose is a native plant of South-East Asia. It has September 2018. both stimulant and sedative effect. 69 Standing Office of Drugs and Crime (SODC), “Synthetic drug situ- 62 Catha edulis is a native plant of the Horn of Africa and the Ara- ation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, bian Peninsula. It has stimulant effect. Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 63 Please see Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand chapters for more 70 NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest situation on synthetic information. drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, presented at the Global 64 DAINAP. SMART Programme regional workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam, August 2017.
14 REGIONAL TRENDS: EAST AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Recent ketamine manufacture and trafficking cases indicate that Indian drug trafficking syndicates may be playing a role in the ketamine market in the region. For instance, in June 2017, Indian authorities dismantled a synthetic drug laboratory in Chennai and seized about 110 kg of ketamine destined for Malaysia together with 55.5 kg of pseudoephedrine. A total of 11 people were arrested – 10 Indian nationals and one Malaysian.71 It is worthy of note that members of an Indian drug trafficking syndicate were also arrested in the first clandestine ketamine laboratory dismantled in Malaysia in 2016.72
71 Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India, Annual Report 2017. 72 NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam, August 2017.
15 Global SMART Programme 2019
16 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Crystalline methamphetamine remains the primary drug of concern in Brunei Darussalam and accounts for a large majority of drug-related arrests and treatment admissions every year (see table 1 and figure 1). • The price (USD 140 – 150 per gram) and purity (over 70%) of crystalline methamphetamine in the country at the retail level have remained stable in recent years (see table 4).
“Ecstasy”1 • While the use of “ecstasy” is low in the country, expert perception indicates an increase in the use of the drug in 2017, similar to a trend observed in its neighbouring maritime South-East Asia countries (see table 1).
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • The use of ketamine has been increasing in Brunei Darussalam in recent years, and there have been no reports on the use of other NPS.
Other drugs • Nimetazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, sold under the name of a discontinued proprietary product, ‘Erimin 5’, continues to be marketed and used in the country.
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Brunei Darussalam, 2013-2018* Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline methamphetamine “Ecstasy” ● Cannabis herb Inhalants ● Ketamine Nimetazepam ● Note: * Based on expert perception provided by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Brunei Darussalam. = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC Annual Report Questionnaires (ARQ) 2017 and previous years for Brunei Darussalam; Official communication with NCB, February 2019.
1 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 17 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 1. Number of people who use drugs Figure 2. Number of people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities brought into formal contact with authorities in Brunei Darussalam by drug type, 2013- in Brunei Darussalam by age group, 2018 2018 7
800 2 22 700 53
600 141 Below 15 years 500 15 - 19 years 20 - 29 years 400 201 Number 300 30 - 39 years 40 - 49 years 200 50 - 59 years 100 60 years or above 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 263 N = 689 Crystalline methamphetamine Cannabis Source(s): DAINAP; NCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Brunei “Ecstasy” Nimentazepam Darussalam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Other drugs Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with NCB, February 2019. Source(s): DAINAP; NCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Brunei Darussalam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with NCB, February 2019.
Table 2. Number of people who use drugs receiving treatment by gender and selected drug types, 2016-2017 2016 2017 Drug type Male Female Total Male Female Total Methamphetamine 175 25 200 190 30 220 Cannabis 3 0 3 2 0 2 Inhalants 1 0 1 2 0 2 Codeine 1 0 1 0 0 0 Poly drug use 0 0 0 1 0 1 Total 180 25 205 195 30 225 Source(s): DAINAP; NCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Brunei Darussalam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
Drug supply indicators
Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Brunei Darussalam, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline methamphetamine kg 2 4.3 1.4 0.7 0.8 0.8 25 and 43 and 31 and “Ecstasy” tablet /g 6 21 0 0.5 g 30.4 g 1.6 g Cannabis herb kg 0.8 8.7 3.8 6 1.1 0.4 Heroin kg 0.8 8.1 ● ● ● ● 14 and 50 and Ketamine tablet /g 18 g 10.2 g 17.6 g 21 g 123.1 g 54.5 g 243 and 457 and 453 and Nimetazepam tablet / g 129 570 275 4.1 g 1.4 g 11.8 g Note: ●= Not reported. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Brunei Darussalam; and NCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Brunei Darussalam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with NCB, February 2019. 18 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Table 4. Retail prices of selected illicit drugs in Brunei Darussalam in BND (USD), 2018 Drug type Unit 2018 195 Crystalline methamphetamine per g (144) 30 “Ecstasy” per tablet (22) 15 Cannabis herb per g (11) 50 Ketamine per g (37) 10 Benzodiazepines (Erimin 5) per tablet (7) Note: NCB has reported the same prices of the drugs in the table in BND for 2017 and 2018; The conversion ratio used is 1 BND = 0.74 USD (as of 17 January 2019) Source(s): DAINAP; Official communication with NCB, February 2019.
19 Global SMART Programme 2019
20 CAMBODIA
CAMBODIA
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • The market for methamphetamine, particularly its crystalline form, continues to expand in Cambodia. This expansion in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of people brought into formal contact with authorities in connection with drug use and the number for treatment admissions (see figure 1 and table 2). • Increasingly larger quantities of crystalline methamphetamine continue to be seized annually, with the amount seized in 2018 exceeding amount of the five previous years combined (see table 3). • The average retail prices of both crystalline methamphetamine and methamphetamine tablets have decreased significantly in recent years, indicating the wider availability of the drug (see figure 4 and 5).
“Ecstasy”1 • Annual seizures of “ecstasy” have increased significantly in recent years, mainly due to large quantities of the drug trafficked from Europe (see table 3). 2 • Based on the limited use of “ecstasy” in the county, a large proportion of the drug seized may have been destined for other countries.
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • In 2018, Cambodia made its first seizure of khat, originating from Ethiopia and destined for the United States.3 The use of synthetic NPS, excluding ketamine, is not documented.
Other drugs • Cambodia continues to be used as a transit point for cocaine trafficking by transnational organized crime groups.4
1 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 2 National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid.
21 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Cambodia, 2013-2017* Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Methamphetamine tablets Crystalline methamphetamine Ecstasy ● ● Cannabis herb ● ● Heroin ● ● Note: *Based on expert perception provided by NACD, Cambodia = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP).
Figure 1. Number of people who use drugs Figure 2. Drug treatment centre admissions brought into formal contact with authorities in Cambodia by age group, 2017 in Cambodia, 2013-2018*
25,000 9% 3%5% 10 - 17 years
20,000 18 - 25 years
15,000 43% 26 - 35 years 36 - 45 years Number 10,000 40% > 46 years 5,000 N = 15,786
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Source(s): DAINAP; NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Note: * Data cover the first half of 2018. Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. Source(s): DAINAP; NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
Table 2. Drug treatment centre admissions in Cambodia by drug type and gender, 2017 Drug type Male Female Total
Methamphetamine 13,243 2,304 15,547 Heroin 121 27 148 Ketamine 39 3 42 Other drugs 37 12 49 Total 13,440 2,346 15,786* Note: * The total number of admissions for drug treatment centres in 2017 was 15,796, and included those admitted for poly-drug use. Source(s): DAINAP; NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
22 CAMBODIA
Drug supply indicators
Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Cambodia, 2013-2018* Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Methamphetamine tabletsa tablets 173,349 87,000 265,760 490,689 371,556 77,000 Crystalline methamphetamine kg 32.4 29 72.9 66.3 80.1 306.6 “Ecstasy”b tablets 0 10,533 70 5,509 83,533 599,200 Cannabis herb kg 168.5 19.9 1,511.5 37 116.3 74 Cocaine kg 12.9 7.9 5.3 14 12.8 5.4 Heroin kg 38.3 1.8 2.5 6.2 22.5 1.3 Ketamine kg 0.0c 0.0 c 0.1 1.1 6.3 36.3 Note: * Data for 2018 are preliminary and subject to change. a These figures include quantities reported as grams; all of which were converted into estimated tablet equivalent at 90 mg per tablet. b These figures include quantities reported as grams; all of which were converted into estimated tablet equivalent of 300 mg per tablet.c Less than 0.05 kg of ketamine was seized. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ) 2016 and previous years for Cambodia; NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous years; Cambodian National Police, “Drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the UNODC Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment for South-East Asia Consultative Workshop, Bangkok, Thailand, January 2019.
Figure 3. Number of drug-related arrests* and cases in Cambodia, 2013-2018
20,000
15,000
10,000 Number
5,000
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Arrests Cases
Note: Data does not include people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities. Source(s): NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Cambodian National Police, “Drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the UNODC Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment for South-East Asia Consultative Workshop, Bangkok, Thailand, January 2019.
23 Global SMART Programme 2019
Table 4. Typical purities of selected drugs in Cambodia (percentage), 2013-2017 Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Methamphetamine tablets 3 – 18 10 – 19 9 – 19 0.5 – 22.4 11 – 21 Crystalline methamphetamine 4 – 84 3 – 86 4 – 84 1.3 – 97.3 68 – 78 “Ecstasy” tablets 6 29 – 39 34 – 47 ● 29 – 39 Ketamine (powder) 50 46 – 57 40 – 54 1.9 – 81.5 49 – 59 Heroin 20 – 84 33 – 71 33 – 66 41.6 – 80.2 63 – 73 Cocaine 50 – 80 58 ● ● 73 – 83 Note: ● = Not reported. Source(s): NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2016 SMART Regional Workshop, Vientiane, Lao PDR, August 2016.
Figure 4. Retail prices of methamphetamine Figure 5. Retail prices of crystalline metham- tablet in Cambodia in USD, 2013-2017 phetamine in Cambodia in USD, 2013-2017
6 60 50 5 D D 40 4 blet in US
am in US 30
ta 3 20 2 Price per Price per gr 10 1 0 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Note: The high-low bars represent the upper and lower limits of the Note: The high-low bars represent the upper and lower limits of the price ranges reported in addition to the typical price. price ranges reported in addition to the typical price. Source(s): NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, Source(s): NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand, August 2018; NACD, “Synthetic drug situation in Cambodia”, presented at the 2016 SMART Regional Workshop, Cambodia”, presented at the 2016 SMART Regional Workshop, Vientiane, Lao PDR, August 2016. Vientiane, Lao PDR, August 2016.
24 CHINA
CHINA
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Increases in the number of people registered for synthetic drug use continued in 2017 (see figure 2), which could have driven by methamphetamine.1 • The illicit manufacture of methamphetamine in China appears to be decreasing. The number of crystalline methamphetamine manufacturing facilities dismantled in the country has decreased every year since 2014 (see figure 4). • A steep increase in the wholesale price of crystalline methamphetamine in 2018 (US $21,800/kg) compared to the corresponding data reported in 2015 (US $2,910/kg) may indicated reduced availability of the drug.2 • China remains vulnerable to the risk of diversion of precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. Transnational organized crime groups in China continue to circumvent existing domestic and international legal frameworks by using non-scheduled precursor chemicals.3
“Ecstasy”4 • Although the size of the “ecstasy” market is significantly smaller than methamphetamine, annual seizures of the drug have been on the rise since 2014. Record amounts of the drug were seized in 2017 (see table 1). • Diverse substances have been found in tablets sold as “ecstasy” in the country. These include new psychoactive substances, such as N-isopropylbenzylamine, 5-MeO-DALT, 4-MPD, and N-ethylpentylone.
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • Despite national measures to restrict NPS, new substances, including potent synthetic opioids, continue to emerge in the country (see figure 6). • In 2017, the synthetic cathinone group of substances, mainly consisting of stimulants, accounted for the largest proportion of the total number of NPS identified by the country’s NPS Monitoring Programme, followed by synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic opioids (see figure 5). • By substance, N-Ethylpentylone (stimulant) was the most frequently reported NPS, followed by 4-CEC (stimulant), AMB-FUBINACA (synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist), -PVP (stimulant), and N-Ethylhexedrone (stimulant) according to the NPS Monitoring Programme in 2017.5 • The amount of ketamine seized in China continues to decrease. Seizures of the drugα in 2017 were the lowest reported over the last decade (see table 1).
Other drugs • The Golden Triangle remains the primary source of heroin found in China, accounting for over 95% of the total heroin seized in the country.6 However, the amount of heroin from Afghanistan seized in the
1 Based on the latest segregated data for the registered synthetic drug users by drug type (2016), methamphetamine accounted for 92.8% of the total synthetic drug users. 2 National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) of China, “Precursor chemicals in China”, presented at the High-level Regional Conference on Precursor Control, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar November 2018. 3 For instance, alpha-phenylacetoacetamid (APAA) has been increasingly used as a substitute for alpha-phenylacetoacetonitrile (APAAN), a substance scheduled in Table I of 1988 UN drug convention since 2014. 4 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 5 NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 25 Global SMART Programme 2019
country increased in 2017 for the first time since 20137, likely due to a decrease in areas under opium poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle.8 • China has been increasingly targeted as a transit location for cocaine trafficking.9
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators Figure 1. Proportion of registered drug users by type of drug used in China, 2013-2018* 100
80
) 60
oporons (% 40 Pr
20
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Synthec drugs Heroin and other opiates Other drugs
Note: * Data cover the first half of the year. Source(s): NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous country reports presented at past workshops.
Figure 2. Proportion of newly registered Figure 3. Number of people registered for drug users by type in China, 2017 using synthetic drug in China, 2013-2017
1,750,000 77.10% Synthec drugs s Heroin and other opiates 1,500,000 Other drugs 16.60% N = 344,400 1,250,000
6.30% Number of user
Source(s): NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, 1,000,000 presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous country reports presented at past workshops. Source(s): NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 6,7,8,9
6 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 8 For instance, the latest UNODC Opium Survey for Myanmar denotes the total area of opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar in 2017 was 41,000 hectares (ha), down 25% from the 55,500 ha recorded in 2015. 9 NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 26 CHINA
Drug supply indicators
Table 1. Seizures of selected drugs in China, 2013-2018* Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Crystalline kg 8,000.0 13,700 22,600 17,361.8 17,066.0 8,518.4 methamphetamine Methamphetamine tablets 115,000,000 114,000,000 120,700,000 129,123,556 122,222,222 97,644,444 tablets a Methamphetamine kg ● ● ● 399.7 2,196 190.4 powder Methamphetamine Lt ● ● 1,443.7 1,323.8 136.2 1,130 liquid “Ecstasy” b tablets 435,200 153,333 632,100 1,200,266 3,333,333 137,133 Ketamine kg 9,692.3 11,212.9 19,600 10,361.1 4,730.8 4,533.3 Cannabis herb kg 4,495.7c 4,000 8,700d 5,833.3 2,520.4 2,399.1 Cannabis resin kg ● 0.2 ● 34.4 0.06 ● Cocaine kg 51.3 113 97.7 1,530 311.7 ● Heroin kg 8,552.9 9,300 8,800 8,777 7,200 ● Opium kg 1,463.5 1,741.0 2,451.9 3,104 3,914.5 ● Note: * Data covers the first nine months of the year.● = Not reported. a Figures reported other than the number of tablets converted into estimated pill equivalents at 100 mg per tablet. b Figures reported other than the number of tablets converted into estimated tablet equivalents at 300 mg per tablet. c, d Includes cannabis herb and cannabis resin. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire; Official communication with NNCC, October 2014; Official communication with NNCC, November 2015; NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme regional meeting, Beijing, China, 16-17 September 2015; NNCC, “Annual Report on Drug Situation in China 2016”, March 2016; Official communication with NNCC, April 2016; NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous country reports presented at past workshops; Official communication with NNCC, December 2018.
Figure 4. Number of illicit synthetic drug Figure 5. Types of NPS identified by the manufacturing facilities dismantled in NPS Monitoring Programme of China, 2017 China, 2013-2018*
500
400 62% Synthec cathinones 19% Synthec cannabinoids 300 Fentanyl and its analogues 200 Number 9% Others 10% 100 N = 834
0 * * * 201320142015201620172018 201320142015201620172018 201320142015201620172018 Methamphetamine tablet Crystalline methamphetamine Ketamine Source(s): NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Note: * Data covers the first ten months of the year. Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. Source(s): DAINAP; NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; NNCC, “Precursor chemicals in China”, presented at the High- level Regional Conference on Precursor Control, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar November 2018.
27 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 6. Top 10 synthetic opioids identified Table 2. Retail prices of selected drugs in by the NPS Monitoring Programme of China in USD, 2016-2017 China, 2017 Drug type Unit 2016 2017 35 Crystalline per gram 59 45.6 methamphetamine 62%30 Methamphetamine per tablet 26 15 - 17 25 tablet 20 “Ecstasy” per tablet 23 32 – 45.4 15 Heroin per gram 77 70 – 73
10 (45 – 121) Number
5 Ketamine per gram 22.7 26 - 39 Cocaine per gram 56 59 – 126.4 0 l l l 0 0 l tany tany tany tany (38 – 121) ntanyl fentanyl en en en en Fe U-47700 lf fentanyl U-4880 fentanyl U-4990 of opyl MD-U-47700 Cannabis herb per gram 24 15.8 – 27.3 Benzyl Furany ylacetyl oxyacetylf clopr oisobutyrf Cy 2,2'-Difluor (9 – 60) Meth 2-Meth 4-Fluor Source(s): UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire; DAINAP. Source(s): NNCC, “Latest situation of synthetic drugs in China”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. Hong Kong, China
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • The reported number of people who use crystalline methamphetamine in Hong Kong, China, remains high, despite the first reported decrease in recent years in 2017 (see figure 1). • The retail price of 1 gram of crystalline methamphetamine reported as of June 2018 shows a significant increase compared to 2017 (see table 2). Given the decreasing number of reported users of the drug and seizures, the increase in the retail price could point to a decreasing availability of crystalline methamphetamine.10
“Ecstasy”11 • Seizures of “ecstasy” increased significantly in 2017 compared to the preceding year (see table 1). However, the reported number of “ecstasy” users and related arrests annually still account for a minuscule proportion of the number of people who use illicit drugs.12
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • Ketamine use has declined in Hong Kong, China, over the last few years, evidenced by data on use, seizures and prices over the last few years. This trend might point to a decrease in supply of the drug trafficked from China. • Hong Kong, China, has been a major transit location for the shipment of NPS, including khat. In 2017, a record amount of khat (more than 6 tons) was seized by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, most of which was destined for China and the United States.13
Other drugs • While heroin continued to be the most commonly reported drug of use in 2017, the reported number of people who use heroin decreased ever year over the last decade.14
10 Purity-adjusted prices were not available to confirm this hypothesis. 11 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in Hong Kong, China. 12 For instance, in 2017, less than 0.5 % of the all reported drug users were “ecstasy” users. 13 Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department, “Experience Sharing on Combating NPS in Hong Kong”, presented at the World Customs Organi- zations Catalyst 2 Training Workshop, Seoul, the Republic of Korea, April 2018. 14 NDSB, “Central Registry of Drug Abuse Sixty-Fifth Report 2006 - 2015”, NDSB, “Newly/previously reported drug abusers by age group by common type of drugs abused (T3). 28 CHINA
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Figure 1. The number of people who use methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin and cocaine in Hong Kong, China, 2013-2018*
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
Number of people 1,000
0 * * * * 20132014201520162017 20132014201520162017 2018 2018 201320142015201620172018 201320142015201620172018 Methamphetamine Ketamine Heroin Cocaine
Note: * Data cover the first nine months of the year. Source: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (NDSB), “Newly/previously reported drug abusers by age group by common type of drugs abused (T3)” (Accessed at http://www.nd.gov.hk/text/en/stat/statistics_list.htm).
Drug supply indicators
Table 1. Seizures of selected drugs in Hong Kong, China, 2013-2017 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Crystalline methamphetamine kg 141 488 356 394 204 “Ecstasy” tablets 1,405 1,585 2,791 2,587 9,973 Ketamine kg 226 334 660 322 131 Cannabis kg 85 99 130 255 845 Cocaine kg 269 130 292 576 402 Heroin kg 56 49 27 83 35.00 Source(s): UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Hong Kong, China; Official communication with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKNB), September 2016; Hong Kong Police Force, “Drug situation in Hong Kong”, presented at the 28th Anti-Drug Liaison Officials’ Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), Busan, the Republic of Korea, September 2018.
Table 2. Retail prices of selected drugs in Hong Kong, China, in USD, 2016-2018* Drug type Unit 2016 2017 2018* Crystalline methamphetamine per gram 42 45.6 67.6 “Ecstasy” per tablet 7.7 10.2 ● Heroin per gram 96 90.1 – 109 110.4 Ketamine per gram 28.2 48.7 60.1 Cocaine per gram 141 148.4 – 178.5 125.5 Note: * Data cover the first half of the year. ● = Not reported. Source(s): UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Police Force, “Narcotics Bureau Territory Report”, shared at the 2018 ADLOMICO meeting, Busan, the Republic of Korea, September 2018; Hong Kong Police Force, “Drug situation in Hong Kong”, presented at the 28th ADLOMICO meeting, Busan, the Republic of Korea, September 2018.
29 Global SMART Programme 2019
30 INDONESIA
INDONESIA
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Crystalline methamphetamine remains the most widely used drug, after cannabis herb, in the country according to the most recent national drug use survey conducted in 2017 (see figure 1). Available data on use, seizure, price and purity indicate that the market for crystalline methamphetamine continues to expand. • The amount of crystalline methamphetamine seized in 2017 (7.54 metric tons) was by far the largest ever reported in the country. Preliminary data for 2018 (September) indicate another increase in seizures (see table 2). • The scale of methamphetamine trafficking, targeting Indonesia both as a transit and a destination country has increased, as evidenced by two seizures reported in February 2018.1 • The number of illicit manufacturing facilities for methamphetamine dismantled in the country has decreased significantly in recent years (see figure 3).
“Ecstasy”2 • According to the expert perception, the use of “ecstasy” has been increasing in the country in recent years (see table 1), and record amounts of the drug were seized in 2017. Annual seizures of “ecstasy” in Indonesia continue to account for the largest proportion of the total amounts seized in South-East Asia.3
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • Available data show that synthetic cannabinoids dominate the NPS market in Indonesia, and growing quantities of substances belonging to the group have been trafficked to the country (see figure 4 and figure 5). • The non-medical use of tramadol, a synthetic opioid, has been reported from Indonesia, and it is the most widely used drug, after cannabis herb, methamphetamine and “ecstasy” (see figure 1).
Other drugs • There are indications of an increasing demand for a tablet preparation containing paracetamol, carisoprodol and caffeine, sold as PCC. For instance, a total of three illicit manufacturing facilities for the drug were seized in 2017.4
1 The National Narcotics Board (BNN) of Indonesia reported to UNODC that national authorities seized 1,063 kg and 1,620 kg of crystalline methamphetamine from two cases in February 2018 in the vicinity of Batam, the Riau Island province. Taiwanese syndicate members were ar- rested for the both cases; the case involving 1,063 kg originated in the Golden Triangle. 2 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 3 For more information, see the Regional Overview of the report. 4 National Narcotics Board (BNN), “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Indonesia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 31 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Indonesia, 2013-2017 Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Crystalline methamphetamine “Ecstasy” Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Cannabis herb Cannabis resin ● ● Cocaine ● ● Heroin Ketamine ● ● ● Note: * Based on expert perception provided by the National Narcotics Board (BNN), Indonesia. = Increasing, = Decreasing, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP); UNODC Annual Report Questionnaires (ARQ) 2017 and previous years for Indonesia.
Figure 1. Estimated number of people who used drugs at least once in 2017 and prevalence in Indonesia aged between 10-59 years-old by selected drug type
2,000,000 1.0
0.8 1,500,000 s 0.6
1,000,000 )
0.4 evalence (% 500,000 Pr 0.2 Number of esmated drug user
0 0.0 ” tasy ates tamine cs amadol Valium) tamine “E Tr Barbitur Cannabis herb Amphe olam (i.e. Xanax) epam (i.e. Methamphe az Alpr Diaz Number of esmated drug users Prevalence (%)
Source(s): BNN, “National Survey on Drug Abuse among Drug Users 2017”.
32 INDONESIA
Drug supply indicators
Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Indonesia, 2013-2018* Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Crystalline kg 542.7 1,125.1 4,420.2 2,630 7,544.77 6,878.6 methamphetamine Methamphetamine kg ● ● ● ● ● 3.97 powder Amphetamine kg ● ● 1.1 ● 0.04 65.4 “Ecstasy” tablets 1,165,178 489,311 1,995,240 1,731,745 3,102,679 960,726 “Ecstasy” powder kg ● ● 4.3 ● 623 ● Barbiturates tablets 181 9,571 7,332 273,201 264,107 93,893 Benzodiazepines tablets 460,807 356,631 1,247,895 475,860 64,962 49,136 Cannabis herb kg 17,779.20 68,542 80,870 15,700 151,670.9 4,582 Cannabis plants Plants 534,829 92,481 101,815 2,171,841 205,708 13,083 Cocaine g 210 373.3 10.5 369 71.9 114.8 Heroin kg 11.3 12.2 13.3 2.2 0.5 1.3 Ketamine kg 4.7 13.4 3.5 0 1.8 11.4 Synthetic cannabinoids kg ● ● ● 10.5 45.2 145.6 Note: * Data cover the first nine months of the year. ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Indonesia; BNN, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Indonesia”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with BNN, February 2019.
Figure 2. Methamphetamine-related arrests Figure 3. Number of illicit amphetamine- in Indonesia, 2008-2017 type stimulants manufacturing facilities
50,000 dismantled in Indonesia, 2009-2018* 40 s
st 40,000 35 30,000 30 20,000
Number of ar re 25 10,000 20 Number
0 15 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 10 Source(s): DAINAP; Official communication with BNN, 5 0 February 2019. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Table 3. Retail prices of selected drugs in Methamphetamine Indonesia in USD, 2016-2017 Unidenfied ATS or “ecstasy” Drug type Unit 2016 2017 Note: * Data cover the first nine months of the year. Crystalline Source(s): DAINAP. per g 185-190 153-185* methamphetamine “Ecstasy” per tablet 18 18-31* Table 4. Typical purities of crystalline Amphetamine per g 30 30 methamphetamine in Indonesia, 2016- Ketamine per g ● 77 2017 (percentage) Cannabis herb per kg 185-191 185-191 Drug type 2016 2017 Heroin per g 111-115 111-115 Crystalline 62 78.4 Cocaine per g 74 74 methamphetamine (60 – 80) Note: ●: Not reported. * The lower end prices were reported during the Source(s): DAINAP. first quarter of 2017 and the high end prices were reported between second and fourth quarter of the year. Indonesia reported prices with a conversion ratio of 1 USD = IDR 13,500. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2016 and 2017 for Indonesia.
33 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 4. Top 10 NPS identified in seized Figure 5. Total number of NPS cases and materials* analysed in Indonesia, 20175 amounts seized in Indonesia, 2015-20176
600 549 200
500
400 371 150
300
200 Number of sample s l weight (kg) 100 ta
100 To 46 20 17 14 12 8855 5 0 8 T lon on hy dr razine PMMA Et xe TFMPP 50 5F-ADB 5F-PB-22 5F-AMB 5F-AKB-4 Me 5-MeO-MiP AMB-FUBINACA ADB-FUBINACA 1-Benzylpipe
Note: *Excluding ketamine. Number of cases/ 0 Source(s): BNN, “Samples submitted to BNN’s laboratory”, 2015 2016 2017 presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. Number of cases Total weight Source(s): Directorate General of Customs and Excise, “New Psychoactive Substances”, presented at the WCO Catalyst 2 Training Workshop, Seoul, the Republic of Korea, April 2018.
Table 5. Seizures of selected NPS by substance in Indonesia, 2015-20177 (gram) Type of NPS 2015 2016 2017 4-Chloromethcathinone (4-CMC) 0 0 115.6 Khat 0 0 33,480 AMB-FUBINACA 0 0 9,959 5-Fluoro-ADB 0 0 1,982 ADB-FUBINACA 0 0 518 Ketamine 1,109.7 8,97 463.7 5-Fluoro AKB 48 0 0 342.8 AB-FUBINACA 0 0 240.5 N-Ethylpentylone 0 0 20 5-fluoro-ADBICA 0 0 14 Unidentified synthetic cannabinoid 0 10,876.4 0 Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) 0.1 0 0 Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) 0.3 0 0 Total 1,183.8 11,062.4 162,695.8 Source(s): Directorate General of Customs and Excise, “New Psychoactive Substances”, presented at the WCO Catalyst 2 Training Workshop, Seoul, the Republic of Korea, April 2018. 5,6,7
5 The graph has been developed based on seized NPS materials analysed by the BNN laboratory. 6 The graph has been developed based on NPS seizures and cases exclusively made by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of Indonesia. 7 The table has been developed based on seizures exclusively made by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of Indonesia.
34 JAPAN
JAPAN
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Methamphetamine continues to account for the largest proportion of the total number of drug related offences, about 75% annually in recent years (see figure 3). • Japan remains an attractive target for methamphetamine traffickers due to the highest price of the drug in East and South-East Asia. Significantly increased amounts of methamphetamine were seized over the last two years, driven by major trafficking cases involving large quantities of the drug being trafficked by sea (see figure 5). • There has been a noticeable change in geographical sources of methamphetamine found in Japan. In terms of the number of trafficking cases, South-East Asia was the primary embarkation point for methamphetamine seized in the country. In addition, Taiwan Province of China has become an important source since 2016. Preliminary data for 2018 shows the same trend (see figure 4).
“Ecstasy”1 • The size of the “ecstasy” market in Japan is limited according to its national drug use survey. However, available data indicates that drug use has increased since 2015 (see figure 1).
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • The smuggling and use of NPS remains a concern, though data on use, seizures, and related arrests indicate decreases in the availability of NPS in the illicit drug market (see figure 7). • Synthetic cannabinoids continue to account for the largest proportion of the total number of NPS reported from the country. A relatively large-scale manufacturing facility for synthetic cannabinoids was dismantled in Japan in 2017.2
Other drugs • Data on use, arrests and seizures point to increases in cannabis use in Japan (see figure 1). This trend may have been driven by decreases in the availability of NPS in the country according to Japanese authorities.3
1 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 2 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan Part II”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 3 National Police Agency (NPA), “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
35 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Japan, 2007-2017 Drug type 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Crystalline methamphetamine “Ecstasy” ● Cannabis NPS ● ● ● ● Note: = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): UNODC Annual Report Questionnaires (ARQ) Japan 2017 and previous years; MHLW, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan Part II”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and corresponding reports presented at 2016 and 2017 SMART Regional Workshops; National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), “2017 Nationwide General Population Survey on Drug Use in Japan”, March 2018 Figure 1. Estimated number of people who Figure 2. Number of drug-related have used drugs once in their lifetime in consultations at health centres in Japan, Japan, 2015 and 2017 2013-2017*
1,400,000 25,000 s 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 20,000 400,000
mat ed number of user 200,000 Es Number of consulaons 0 Cannabis herb Methamphetamine “Ectasy” NPS 15,000 2015 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Source(s): NCNP, “2017 Nationwide General Population Survey Note: Data for each year in Figure 2 represent data collected during on Drug Use in Japan”, March 2018; MHLW, “Latest situation the period of April 1 – March 31 based on the fiscal year of Japan. on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan Part II”, Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, (MHLW), December 2018. Thailand, August 2018.
Drug supply indicators
Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Japan, 2013-2018* Drug type Measurement 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Crystalline kg 846.5 570.2 431.8 1,521.4 1,136.6 318.8 methamphetamine “Ecstasy” tablets 2,147 608 1,074 5,122 3,244 870 Cannabis herb kg 198.0 166.6 104.6 159.7 270.5 144.5 Cannabis resin kg 1.2 36.7 3.9 1.0 21.9 0.6 Cocaine kg 124.1 2.3 18.6 113.3 11.6 7.1 Heroin kg 3.8 0 2.0 0 70.3 0 Opium kg 0.2 0.2 0 0.7 0 0 * Note: Data cover the first half of the year. Source(s): UNODC ARQ Japan for 2017 and previous years; NPA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with NPA, January 2019.
36 JAPAN
Figure 3. Number of drug-related arrests Figure 4. Proportion of embarkation points by the National Police Agency of Japan, of methamphetamine trafficking to Japan 2013-2017 by number, 2013-2017
12,000 100
10,000 80 South Asia s
st 8,000 Africa 60 6,000 Europe North America 4,000 40
Number of ar re South-East Asia
Taiwan Province of China 2,000 20 China and Hong Kong, China 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 0 Methamphetamine Cannabis Other drugs 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Source(s): NPA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and Source: NPA, “Drug Control in Japan”, presented at the 42nd responses to the threats in Japan”, presented at the SMART Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and for Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP), Bangkok, Thailand, October, corresponding reports presented at 2016 and 2017 SMART 2018. Regional Workshops; NPA, “Drug Control in Japan”, presented at the 42nd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies for Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP), Bangkok, Thailand, October, 2018.
Table 3. Retail prices of selected drugs in Japan in USD, 2015- 2017 Drug type Unit 2015 2016 2017 Crystalline Per gram 581 588 560 methamphetamine “Ecstasy” Per tablet 33.2 36.7 36 Cannabis herb Per gram 41.5 55 55 Heroin Per gram 498.1 276 270 Note: ● = Not reported. Source(s): UNODC ARQ Japan for 2017 and previous years; NPA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
Figure 5. Seizures of methamphetamine by Figure 6. Proportion of NPS reported by mode of trafficking in Japan, 2013-2017 Japan by substance group, 2008-2018*
1,500 Synthec cannabinoids
Synthec cathinones 23% 1,200 Other substances
34% Phenethylamines 900 17% Tryptamines es (kg) Phencyclidine-type substances 600 Sea passenger/crew
Seizur 12% Plant-based substances Internaonal mail 300 1% Piperazines Commercial cargo 2% 3% Air passenger 3% 5% Aminoindanes 0 N = 333 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Note: Data as of 28 October 2018. Source: Japan Customs, “Summary of Japan Customs’ Source(s): UNODC Early warning advisory on NPS. Enforcement in 2017, February 2018.
37 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 7. Number of cases and arrestees related to NPS in Japan, 2013-2017*
1,200
1,000
800
600 Number
400
200
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Number of cases Number of arrestees
*Note: Data for each year in figure 1 represent data collected during the period of April 1-March 31 based on the fiscal year of Japan. Source: NPA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Japan”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous corresponding country reports presented at past SMART Regional Workshops.
38 LAO PDR
LAO PDR
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Record amounts of both tablet and crystalline form of methamphetamine were seized in Lao PDR in 2018 (see table 2). According to expert perception the use of crystalline methamphetamine increased in 2018 (see table 1). • Over the last five years, there has been a two-fold increase in both the number of drug-related arrests and the number of drug-related cases (see figure 1). • Lao PDR remains as a major transit for methamphetamine originating from the Golden Triangle destined for other countries in the Mekong sub-region. Neighbouring countries of Lao PDR, including Thailand and Viet Nam, have noted increasing flows of methamphetamine trafficked through border areas with the country in recent years.1 • Lao PDR is also a significant transit country for chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs in the Golden Triangle area. Seizures of unspecified chemicals,2 in recent years remain at high levels (see table 2).
“Ecstasy”3 • The level of “ecstasy” use in Lao PDR is unknown, and no seizures of the drug have been reported from authorities.
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • There have been no reports of trafficking or use of NPS in Lao PDR, and it remains the only country in South-East Asia that has not reported identification of any NPS.4
Other drugs • Lao PDR remains a major producer of opium in the region, despite the area under cultivation being significantly less than that of Myanmar.
1 According to the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand, seizures of methamphetamine tablet along the border with Lao PDR increased more than two times between 2016 and 2017, reaching 11 million tablets in the latter year. ONCB & Safe Mekong Coordination Centre (SMCC), “Overview of Drugs Situation in the Golden Triangle & Mekong Region”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 2 The Government of Lao PDR does not provide types of chemicals seized in the country, in part due to their limited forensic capacity. How- ever, it appears that methamphetamine tablet powder and caffeine, a major methamphetamine tablet ingredient, are major types of chemicals seized in the country based on photos of chemical seizure cases shared by national authorities with UNODC. 3 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 4 UNODC, early warning advisory on NPS.
39 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Lao PDR, 2013-2018* Drug used in the past year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Methamphetamine tablets Crystalline methamphetamine Cannabis herb Opium Heroin Note: * Based on expert perception provided by Lao National Commission for Drugs Control and Supervision (LCDC). = Increasing, = Decreasing, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP)
Drug supply indicators
Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs and chemicals in Lao PDR, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Methamphetamine tablets tablets 15,083,355 3,832,895 6,331,692 2,849,414 10,019,643 21,036,045 Crystalline kg 26.4 19.4 141.9 150.1 124.5 1,841.5 methamphetamine Cannabis herb kg 5,484.3 1,233.3 3,258 466 4,810 450.9 Cocaine kg 10.5 0 0 0 0 8.3 Heroin kg 287.8 181.7 134.8 221 149.5 281.3 Opium kg 89.7 12.8 51.6 137.7 142.9 103.8 Unspecified chemicals* kg 695.2 1,494.4 4,372.2 1,102.6 189.2 5,016.3 Note: *Include precursor chemicals. Source(s): DAINAP; LCDC, “Report of illicit drug seizures for 2018” and corresponding reports from previous years; Official communication with LCDC, February 2019.
Figure 1. Number of cases and arrests for Figure 2. Seizures of unspecified chemicals, drug-related offences in Lao PDR, 2013- 2013-2018
2018 6,000
5,000 5,000 4,000 4,000 3,000
es (kg) 3,000 Number 2,000
Seizur 2,000 1,000 1,000 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 0 Number of cases Number of arrests 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Source(s): DAINAP, LCDC, Latest situation on synthetic drugs Source(s): DAINAP; LCDC, “Report of illicit drug seizures for and responses to the threats in Lao PDR”, presented at the Global 2018” and corresponding reports from previous years. SMART Programme regional workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam, 28-29 August 2017; LCDC, “Report of illicit drug seizures for 2018” and corresponding reports from previous years; Official communication with LCDC, February 2019.
40 LAO PDR
Table 3. Average wholesale or retail prices of selected drugs in Lao PDR, 2017 Drug type Unit Price (USD) Methamphetamine tablets tablet 2 Crystalline kg 18,000 methamphetamine Heroin Per 350 g 8,500 Opium kg 1,800 Cannabis herb kg 125 Source(s): LCDC, “Country report of Lao PDR” presented at the 5th ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network Operational Workshop, 6 -10 March 2018, Bangkok, Thailand.
41 Global SMART Programme 2019
42 MALAYSIA
MALAYSIA
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • The illicit drug market in Malaysia has been rapidly shifting from heroin to methamphetamine. In 2017, the number of methamphetamine users, who were brought into formal contact with authorities, in the country exceeded users of opiates for the first time (see figure 1). • The average wholesale and retail prices of methamphetamine tablets and crystalline methamphetamine have been continuously decreasing in the country (see table 4). • In recent years, the scale of methamphetamine trafficking targeting Malaysia has been intensified, evidenced by decreases in the number of methamphetamine related cases but increases in quantities of the drug seized (see figure 4 and 5).1
“Ecstasy”2 • There are strong indications of the “ecstasy” market expansion in the country. Both seizures and the number of dismantled manufacturing facilities for the drug have been increasing in recent years (see figure 3 and table 3).3
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • The most commonly used NPS in Malaysia continue to be ketamine and kratom according to the expert perception. It is imperative to note that seizures of kratom have been on a steep rise in recent years in the country (see table 3). The growing popularity of the drug at the global level may have contributed to the increase.
Other drugs • National authorities have noted increases in the non-medical use of nimetazepam4, commonly sold as “Erimin 5”5, which is illicitly manufactured. Large quantities of the drug have been sourced from China and Taiwan Province of China.6,7
1 The number of methamphetamine manufacturing facilities dismantled in the country has decreased in recent years. By October 2018, Ma- laysian authorities seized seven clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing laboratories, and all of them were reported to be small-scale. 2 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 3 In 2017, Malaysian authorities dismantled an illicit “ecstasy” manufacturing facility, which was resulted in a seizure of 160 litres of 3,4-MDP2P (PMK). 4 In Malaysia, nimetazepam is a commonly abused sedative and is used as a substitute for heroin. It is also increasingly used by methamphet- amine users to facilitate a come-down after excessive use. 5 The licit production of “Erimin” has been discontinued since 2015. 6 Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), “Malaysia country report on drug issues 2018”, presented at the 28th Anti-Drug Liaison Officials’ Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), Busan, September 2018. 7 For more information in nimetazepam, please see Global SMART Update vol.18, Non-medical use of benzodiazepines: a growing threat to public health?, September 2017. https://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/Global_SMART_Update_2017_Vol_18.pdf
43 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Malaysia, 2013-2018* Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline methamphetamine Methamphetamine pills “Ecstasy” Amphetamine Benzodiazepines ● Cannabis herb Heroin Ketamine Kratom ● ● Note: * Based on expert perception provided by the National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA), Malaysia. = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP); UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ) 2017 and previous years for Malaysia; Official communication with NADA, February 2019. Figure 1. Number of people brought into Figure 2. People who use drugs brought formal contact with authorities for drug into formal contact with authorities in use in Malaysia by drug type, 2016-2017 Malaysia by age group, 2017
20,000
15,000 73% 10,000 13 to 18 years old 5,000 > 40 years old Number of people 19 to 39 years old 0 e s s S* s tallin 24% Opioid tamine Cannabi Crys tamine tablet Other AT Other drugs** 3% Methamphe methamphe 2016 2017 Note: * Incudes amphetamine and “ecstasy”. ** Mainly composed of Source(s): DAINAP; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest ketamine and benzodiazepines. situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, Source(s): DAINAP; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August, 2018. presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August, 2018. Table 2. Drug treatment admissions by drug type and gender in Malaysia, 2017 New admissions All admissions Drug type Male Female Total Male Female Total Crystalline methamphetamine 7,791 457 8,248 9,899 520 10,419 Methamphetamine tablets 3,194 68 3,262 4,285 81 4,366 “Ecstasy” 15 13 28 16 14 30 Amphetamine 634 28 662 705 29 734 Heroin 5,806 260 6,066 9,799 355 10,154 Cannabis 872 29 901 1,036 30 1,066 Benzodiazepines 6 2 8 7 2 9 Ketamine 5 1 6 5 1 6 Total 18,323 858 19,181 25,788 1,033 26,821 Source(s): DAINAP; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 44 MALAYSIA
Drug supply indicators
Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Malaysia, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline kg 1,706.5 1,212.7 1,138.5 718.5 1,553.3 6,851.8 methamphetamine Liquid 198.1 kg lt/kg ● 41.8 lt 539.2kg 429 kg 296.9 methamphetamine and 92.9 lt Methamphetamine tablets 524,967 557,337 538,176 895,499 847,334 2,512,444 tabletsa “Ecstasy”b tablets 395,984 117,702 407,475 200,763 1,764,794 632,366 “Ecstasy” powder kg 654.6 53.7 267.9 ● ● 193.7 Ketamine kg 402.6 240.3 48.4 380.0 506.4 704.2 Heroin kg 763.0 455.8 742.6 742.6 603.1 731.5 365,274 467,133 4,038,733 1,891,852 2,756,552 Benzodiazepines tablets / kg 912.4 kg tablets tablets tablets tablets tablets Cannabis herb kg 898.1 578.2 1,844.2 2,945.5 2,696.3 1,894.8 Cocaine kg 73.9 33.4 18.0 253.1 23 12.1 Codeine lt 6,990.2 1,584.5 3,169.1 5,616 ● 37,263.9 Kratom leaf kg 9,101.5 15,541.4 28,961.4 124,717.9 81,028.6 87,564.8 Kratom liquid lt ● 45,429.9 206,175.8 274,421 89,060.1 233,525.9 Opium (raw and kg 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.1 0c prepared) 816,938 1,287,472 56,279 39,979 13,944 Psychotropics tablets/ kg 0.8 kg tablets tablets tablets tablets tablets Note: a Figures reported other than the number of tablets are converted into estimated pill equivalents at 100 mg per tablet. b Figures reported other than the number of tablets are converted into estimated tablet equivalents at 300 mg per tablet c Reported as less than 20 grams of opium seized. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for Malaysia; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
Figure 3. Number of illicit drug manufac- Figure 4. Number of methamphetamine turing facilities dismantled in Malaysia by tablet related cases and seizures, 2014- drug type, 2014-2018* 2018*
40 3,000,000 25,000
35 2,500,000 20,000 30 Methamphetamine blets) ta
25 “Ecstasy” 2,000,000 s 15,000 20 Heroin
cilies dismantled 1,500,000 15 Benzodiazepines es (number of 10,000
Ketamine Number of case 10 1,000,000 Others Seizur Number of fa 5 5,000 500,000 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* 0 0 Note: * Data cover the first ten months of the year. 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Source(s): DAINAP; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, Seizures Cases “Latest situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats Note: * Data cover the first nine months of the year. in Malaysia”, presented at the Global SMART Programme Source(s): DAINAP; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest regional workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August, 2018 and situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, previous country reports presented at past SMART regional presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, workshops; Royal Malaysian Police, “Precursor Chemicals in Chiang Rai, Thailand, August, 2018. Malaysia”, presented at the High-Level Regional Precursor Conference, Nay Phi Taw, Myanmar, November 2018. 45 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 5. Number of crystalline metham- Table 5. Typical purities of selected drugs phetamine related cases and seizures, in Malaysia, 2018 2014-2018* Number of samples Drug type Purity (%) analysed 80,000 Crystalline 75 20,200 70,000 methamphetamine (40 – 80) s 60,000 6,000 “Ecstasy” 2,000 15 - 40 50,000 5,000 40,000 3 Number of case 4,000 Heroin (No.3) 25,650 es (kg) 30,000 3,000 (1 – 5) Seizur 20,000 2,000 75 Ketamine 1,100 10,000 1,000 (70 – 85) 0 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Source(s): NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest situation Cases Seizures on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, Chiang Note: * Data cover the first nine months of the year. Rai, Thailand, August 2018. Source(s): DAINAP; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August, 2018.
Table 4. Trends in wholesale / retail prices of selected drugs in Malaysia in USD, 2014- 2018 Drug type Unit 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Methamphetamine per tablet 9.6 5.3 3-5 3.6 4.8 tablet Crystalline per kg 45,600 28,080 16,000-26,800 16,800 12,000 methamphetamine “Ecstasy” per tablet 14.4 11 8.4-10.8 12 7.2 Heroin (No.3) per kg 7,200 4,704 3,744-4,368 5,880 2,667 Ketamine per kg 8,400 4,800 6,000-10,800 10,800 12,720 Cannabis per kg 730 632 486-681 586 576 Source(s): DAINAP; NADA and Royal Malaysian Police, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs responses to the threats in Malaysia”, presented at the Global SMART Programme regional workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous country reports presented at past SMART regional workshops; Official communication with NADA, February 2019.
46 MYANMAR
MYANMAR
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • The number of methamphetamine related treatment admissions as well as the expert perception on drug use trends show the expansion of the methamphetamine market in the country (see table 1 and figure 1). • In recent years, several trafficking cases involving substantial quantities of the drug originating from Myanmar have been reported from countries in East and South-East Asia, South Asia, and in Oceania.1 • Flows of foreign transnational organized crime groups to Shan State, Myanmar, have become a great concern in the country.2 This trend appears to have led to increases in the production of and trafficking in methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs, such as ketamine. • Excluding Shan State, Rakhine State accounts for the largest proportion of methamphetamine tablet seizures in 2018. This points to persistent and large westward flows of methamphetamine tablets out of the country, in particular into Bangladesh (see table 3).
“Ecstasy”3 • Demand for “ecstasy” remains limited in the country, and there has been no sign of increasing use of the drug in recent years. • There are indications that small-scale “ecstasy” manufacture has been taking place in the country, evidenced by seizures of ”ecstasy” and other drugs from trafficking cases as well as at a clandestine laboratory and a drug storage facility dismantled in 2017. 4
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • The illicit manufacture of ketamine has also been observed in the country5, and the amount of the drug seized in 2018 is larger than the combined amount of the drug seized since 2004. • The use of the kratom6 leave is widely reported in the southern part of Myanmar. Significant amounts of kratom continued to be seized in the country.
Other drugs • Heroin continues to account for a large majority of treatment admissions and its use level indicated to have increased in recent years (see table 1 and figure 1).
1 For more information, please see the regional chapter for methamphetamine in this report. 2 The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the SMART Regional Work- shop, Hanoi, Viet Nam, August 2017. 3 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 4 CCDAC, “Drug situation in the Golden Triangle area”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 5 CCDAC, “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 6 Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a large tree found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of South-East Asia.
47 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trend in use of selected drugs in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Heroin
Opium
Methamphetamine tablets
Crystalline methamphetamine ● ● ●
Cannabis ● Note: * Based on expert perception provided by CCDAC, Myanmar. = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC Annual Report Questionnaires (ARQ) Myanmar for 2017 and previous years; Official communication with CCDAC February 2019.
Figure 1. Number of people admitted to drug Figure 2. Proportion of persons admitted treatment centres in Myanmar by drug type, to drug treatment centres in Myanmar by 2013-2017 age group, 2017
8,000
7,000 5% 6,000 19% s
on 5,000 Methamphetamine 15 - 19 4,000 Opiates* 20 - 39 3,000 Other drugs Number of pe rs 2,000 40 - 59
1,000 60 <
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 76% Note: * Include opium and heroin. Source(s): DAINAP; CCDAC, “Myanmar country presentation”, N = 7,536 ONCB “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August Source(s): CCDAC, “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, 2018 and previous country reports presented at past Regional presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. SMART Workshops.
Drug supply indicators
Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Methamphetamine tablets tablets 10,187,014 12,650,000 49,950,000 98,353,463 74,001,667 106,702,365 Crystalline kg 173.0 47.1 2,261.7 2,464.1 1,107.5 2,877.5 methamphetamine Methamphetamine kg 7.3 108.4 197.9 54.8 ● 45.2 powder a ”Ecstasy” tablets 0 2,388,953 1 22 645,882 2,686 Heroin b kg 238.9 435.5 186.0 769.3 570.6 1,099.1 Opium kg 2,357.0 1,828.4 888.8 945.7 1,256.2 2,829.0 Cannabis c kg 40.9 205.5 87.7 188.8 99.4 142.4
48 MYANMAR
Kratom kg 219 605.3 687.4 1409.4 652.1 1,833.9 Ketamine d kg ● 4.2 3.1 940.2 75.1 2,360.2 Note: ● = Not reported, * Data as of September 2018. a Methamphetamine for processing into methamphetamine tablets. b Reported as heroin No.4. c Combined herb and resin. d Figures reported lt were converted into kg with the ratio 1 lt = 1 kg. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC Annual Report Questionnaires (ARQ) Myanmar for 2017 and previous years; CCDAC, “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; CCDAC, “Myanmar country report”, presented at UNODC 42nd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP), Bangkok, Thailand October 2018; Official communication with CCDAC February 2019.
Figure 3. Drug related arrests and number of cases, 2013-2018 20,000
15,000
10,000 Number
5,000
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Cases Arrests
Source(s): DAINAP; CCDAC “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; CCDAC, “Myanmar country report”, presented at UNODC 42nd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP), Bangkok, Thailand October 2018; Official communication with CCDAC February 2019.
Table 3. Proportions of seizures of selected drugs in Myanmar by state, 2018 Crystalline State Methamphetamine tablets Heroin Ketamine methamphetamine Shan 54.8 97.5 83.4 99.7 Rakhine 30.8 0 0 0 Other states 14.4 2.5 16.6 0.3 Source(s): CCDAC, “Myanmar country presentation”, presented at the UNODC Mekong Drugs and Precursor Trafficking Route Analysis Workshop, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam. April, 2018; Official communication with CCDAC February 2019.
Table 4. Seizures of selected precursor chemicals in Myanmar, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Ephedrine kg 133.4 32.1 112.0 534.2 0 139.7 Pseudoephedrinea tablets 35,808,000 19,452,000 12,720,000 1,192,000 3,901,000 450,000 Phenylacetic acid lt 95 0 0 0 950 4,000 P-2-P lt ● ● 4,800 0 0 3,298 Acetic anhydride lt 55.0 1,297.5 260 16 1,318.3 40 Caffeine kg 13,482.6 431.5 9,532.3 19,847.5 5,885 20,759.4 (bulking agent) Note: ●= Not reported; a The amount of pseudoephedrine found in tablets varies. Source(s): DAINAP; CCDAC “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; CCDAC, “Myanmar country report”, presented at UNODC 42nd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP), Bangkok, Thailand October 2018; Official communication with CCDAC February 2019.
49 Global SMART Programme 2019
Table 5. Retail prices of selected drugs in Myanmar in USD, 2016-2018 Drug type Unit 2016 2017 2018 Methamphetamine tablet tablet 2.2 2.0 2.0 Crystalline methamphetamine g 22 – 44 20-24 14-18 “Ecstasy” tablet 33 31 30 Cannabis herb kg 220 207 200 (retail) Note: ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; CCDAC “Synthetic drug situation in Myanmar”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with CCDAC, February 2019.
50 PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINES
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Crystalline methamphetamine remains the primary drug of concern in the Philippines, as the drug accounts for overwhelming majority of the total number of drug treatment admissions over the last five years (see figure 1). In addition, there are indications that the number of female methamphetamine users has increased in recent years (see figure 2). • There has been a steep rise in the number of drug-related arrests in the Philippines, primarily due to intensified law enforcement activities focused on methamphetamine (see figure 4). • Despite the heightened law enforcement measures, seizures of large-scale illicit methamphetamine manufacturing facilities, as well as trafficking involved with several hundreds kg of the drug have been continuously reported in recent years (see table 2 and 3). In addition, sources of methamphetamine trafficked from oversea into the country appear to have diversified.1
“Ecstasy”2 • Philippine authorities seized an “ecstasy” manufacture facility in 2018 for the first time since the monitoring of trends started3 in 2008.4 In addition, synthetic tablets containing MDMA in combination with methamphetamine and others, known as “Fly high”, have been continuously seized in the country in recent years.5
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is limited in the Philippines according to the expert perception.6 • National authorities have noted the increasing availability of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GBL), sold as liquid ecstasy, in the country.7
Other drugs • The Philippines has been increasingly targeted for trafficking of cocaine by sea, and relatively large quantities of the drug have been seized in recent years (see table 2).
1 For instance, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported UNODC to have seized nearly 360 kg of the drug perceived to have shipped from Malaysia in August 2018. In recent years, there has been no major methamphetamine trafficking case connected to other South- East Asian countries reported from the Philippines. In addition, there are indications of increasing methamphetamine flows from the United States to the Philippines, mostly by parcel post. During the first half of 2018, national authorities detected 27 parcel posts, resulted in seizures of nearly 90 kg of the drug according to PDEA. 2 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 3 The UNODC Global SMART Programme was initiated in 2008. 4 Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) & Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 5 Ibid. 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid.
51 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in the Philippines, 2013-2017 Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Crystalline methamphetamine Benzodiazepine Cannabis herb Inhalants Note: * Based on expert perception provided by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). = Increasing, = Decreasing, = Stable, ● = Not reported. Source(s): Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP); UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ) 2017 and previous for the Philippines; Official communication with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), October 2018.
Figure 1. Proportions of crystalline Figure 2. Methamphetamine related methamphetamine related treatment treatment admissions by gender, 2013- admissions among all treatment 2017 admissions, 2013-2017 6,000 8,000 384 5,000 348 7,000 s 6,000 4,000 303 5,233 92.4% s 4,878 332 5,000 96.7% 3,000 4,000 168 91.2% 3,704 3,246 88.5% 3,000 2,000 83.5% Number of admission 2,559 2,000 Number of admission 1,000 1,000 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Male Female Proporon of crystalline All admissions methamphetamine related treatment admissions Source(s): DAINAP; DDB and PDEA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, Note: Some of the crystalline methamphetamine related admissions presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Chiang Rai, include admissions for polydrug use. Thailand, August 2018. Source(s): DAINAP; DDB and PDEA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Chiang Rai, Figure 3. Proportions of drug treatment Thailand, August 2018. admissions in the Philippines by age group, 2017
11% 23%
> 19 years old 20 - 39 years old < 40 years old
66%
N = 4,045
Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ Philippines for 2017; DDB and PDEA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
52 PHILIPPINES
Drug supply indicators
Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs and precursor chemicals in the Philippines, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline kg 837.6 718.5 595.8 2,210.5 1,053.9 785.8 methamphetamine Liquid lt. 0 17.6 0 1,805.7 50.2 110.8 methamphetamine “Ecstasy” tablets 52 3,599 2,902 21,736 591 16,713 Benzodiazepine tablets 20 216 2,304 120 83 876 Cannabis herb kg 1,391.3 799.6 1,032.4 1,334.6 431.7 256.1 Heroin kg 0 0 2.0 0 0 0 Cocaine kg 12.2 69.9 11.5 70.6 9.9 94.6 GHB lt ● ● 3.1 ● 0 a ● Pseudoephedrine kg - ● 2.11 ● 209.5 0 Ephedrine kg 0.6 510.1 49.8 9.9 0.02 0.5 Note: ● = Not reported. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for the Philippines; Official communication with DDB, February 2019.
Figure 4. Number of drug-related arrests in the Philippines by drug type, 2013-2018*
30,000
25,000 97% 95% 93%
s 20,000 st 96% 15,000
10,000 89%
Number of ar re 5,000 84%
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018*
Crystalline methamphetamine Other drugs
Note: * Data cover the first nine months of the year. Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ 2017 and previous years for the Philippines; DDB and PDEA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with DDB, November 2018.
53 Global SMART Programme 2019
Table 3. Number of illicit methamphetamine manufacturing facilities dismantled in the Philippines, 2009-2018 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 9 7 6 7 1 1 2 10 2 4 Source(s): DAINAP; DDB &PDEA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with PDEA, February 2019.
Table 4. Retail prices of selected drugs in the Philippines in USD, 2015-2018 Drug type Unit 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline methamphetamine per gram 29.6 – 317.59 25.8 – 236.6 163.7 130.1 “Ecstasy” per tablet 19 – 63.5 30 37.7 32.5 Cocaine per gram ● ● 99.3 101.4 Cannabis herb per gram ● ● 3.2 2.3 Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC ARQ Philippines for 2017 and previous years DDB &PDEA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam August 2017. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), “Philippine Country Report”, presented at the 1st meeting of the AIPA Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD), Singapore, June 2018 and previous country reports presented at past Regional SMART Workshops; Official communication with PDEA, February 2019.
Table 5. Purities of selected drugs analysed in the Philippines, 2016-2017 2016 2017 Crystalline 63.0% 64.5% methamphetamine (6.4 – 99%) “Ecstasy” 38.6% ● Source(s): UNODC ARQ Philippines for 2017; DDB &PDEA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Philippines”, presented at the Regional SMART Workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam August 2017; Official communication with DDB, November 2018.
54 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Seizures of both forms of methamphetamine - tablets and crystalline - reached record highs in the Republic of Korea in 2018 (see figure 3 and table 3). • In recent years, crystalline methamphetamine trafficked from South-East Asia and Taiwan Province of China have increased while crystalline methamphetamine trafficked from China has significantly decreased (see figure 4). • The domestic manufacture of methamphetamine remains a concern in the country. Cold tablets containing pseudoephedrine are mainly used for manufacturing, as limited quantities of the substance can be purchased over the counter.1
“Ecstasy”2 • The market for “ecstasy” in the Republic of Korea is insignificant compared to methamphetamine according to expert perception. However, both the number of trafficking cases and quantities of the drug seized in recent years have risen in recent years.3
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • The Republic of Korea continues to be affected by the transiting of khat, mainly destined for the United States.4 • Synthetic cannabinoids account for the largest proportion of the total number of NPS identified in the country (see figure 6).
Other drugs • Heroin and cocaine are not commonly used in the Republic of Korea. Increasing quantities of cocaine trafficked to the country in recent years were primarily destined for other countries, including Australia and Hong Kong, China, and Macau, China.5
1 In response, in May 2018, the Government of Republic of Korea launched an integrated system to monitor all entities dealing with pharma- ceuticals containing narcotic and psychotropic substances. 2 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 3 For instance, the Korean Customs Service reported to have detected 53 “ecstasy” trafficking cases in 2017, which is much larger than in 2015 (8 cases) and in 2016 (30 cases). 4 According to the Korean Customs Service, there was a total of 49 cases of khat trafficking, amounting to 657 kg of the drug in 2017. 5 For instance, Korean authorities seized 64 kg of cocaine destined for China in October 2018; Korean Customs Service, official press release, “Trends in illicit drug trafficking and responses in 2018”, January 2019.
55 Global SMART Programme 2019
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in the Republic of Korea, 2013-2018* Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline methamphetamine Cannabis herb Other narcotics Note: * Based on expert perception provided by the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (SPO) = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ) 2017 and previous years for the Republic of Korea; Official communication with SPO, August 2013; Official communication with SPO, October 2014; Official communication with SPO, February 2018. Figure 1. Number of people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities in the Republic of Korea by drug type, 2013-2018
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000 Number of people
2,000
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Psychotropic substances Cannabis Narcocs
Source(s): SPO,“White paper on illicit drugs-related crime for 2017”, and corresponding previous reports; SPO, “Monthly report on illicit-drug related crime for October 2018”, December 2018; Official communication with SPO, February 2019.
Table 2. Number of people admitted to drug treatment centres in the Republic of Korea, 2013-2017 6, 7 Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Psychotropic substances6 97 96 216 258 295
Cannabis 3 0 1 15 23
Narcotics7 1 5 4 4 28
Total 101 101 221 277 346 Source(s): SPO,“White paper on illicit drugs-related crime”, Seoul, August 2015; Official communication with SPO, May 2016; Official communication with SPO, October 2018.
6 Synthetic drugs, such as methamphetamine, “ecstasy”, LSD and NPS, are categorised as psychotropic substances according to the Government of Republic of Korea. 7 Drugs that have a natural constituent plant, such as opiates and cocaine are categorised as narcotics according to the Government of Republic of Korea. 56 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Drug supply indicators
Table 3. Seizures of selected drugs in Korea, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline methamphetamine kg 37.7 47.7 56.6 28.7 30.5 187.9 Methamphetamine tablets a tablets 3,997 2,818 2,383 7,811 28,700 94,867 “Ecstasy”b tablets 1,233 720 637 3,690 2,293 9,393 Cannabis herb kg 24.4 23.3 22.0 75.5 40.1 89.1 Cannabis resin kg 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 1.3 0.1 Cannabis seed kg 6.2 4.4 2.9 1.9 1.2 1.2 Synthetic cannabinoids kg 1.8 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.5 Cocaine kg 1.2 0c 0c 10.9 0.1 8.8 Heroin g 0 1 5 0 3.7 2 Raw opium g 0 110 235 0 537 190 Khat kg 0 0 0 3,169 0 132.5 Note: a Figures reported other than the number of tablets converted into estimated tablet equivalents at 90 mg per tablet; b Figures reported other than the number of tablets converted into estimated tablet equivalents at 300 mg per tablet c Reported as less than 20 grams of cocaine seized. Source(s): UNODC ARQ Republic of Korea for 2017 and previous years; SPO, “White paper on illicit drugs-related crime”, Seoul, August 2018 and previous years; SPO, “Synthetic drug situation in the Republic of Korea”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with SPO, February 2019. Figure 2. Seizures of crystalline metham- Figure 3. Number of people brought phetamine in the Republic of Korea, 2013- into formal contact with authorities for 2018 supplying drugs in the Republic of Korea by drug type, 2013-2018 200
4,000 150 3,500
es (kg) 100 3,000 Seizur 50 2,500 e 2,000 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 1,500 Source(s): UNODC ARQ Republic of Korea for 2017 and previous years; SPO, “White paper on illicit drugs-related crime Number of peopl 1,000 for 2017”, and corresponding previous reports; SPO, “Monthly 500 report on illicit-drug related crime for October 2018”, December 2018; SPO, “Synthetic drug situation in the Republic of Korea”, 0 presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with SPO, Psychotropic substances Cannabis Narcocs February 2018. Source(s): SPO, “White paper on illicit drugs-related crime for 2017”, and corresponding previous reports; Official communication with SPO, February 2019.
57 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 4. Proportions of embarkation points Figure 5. Number of blocked and deleted for crystalline methamphetamine seized in websites for circulating illicit drugs in the the Republic of Korea, 2013-2017 Republic of Korea, 2013-2017 100 8,000
80 7,000 6,000
60 5,000 China & Hong Kong, China 4,000 Taiwan Province of China Number 40 3,000 South-East Asia 2,000 North America 20 1,000 Others 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Source(s): SPO, “White paper on illicit drugs-related crime for Note: Embarkation points do not necessarily mean source countries. 2017”, August 2018. Source(s): SPO, “White paper on illicit drugs-related crime for 2017”, August 2018, and corresponding previous reports; SPO, “Synthetic drug situation in the Republic of Korea”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
Table 4. Purities of crystalline methamphetamine samples analysed in the Republic of Korea, 2016-2018 Drug type No. of analysed samples Average Minimum Maximum 2018 76 95.6% 71.4% 98.5% 2017 63 95.4% 90.1% 98.5% 2016 11 95.0% 90.5% 98.5% Source(s): SPO, “Synthetic drug situation in the Republic of Korea”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and the corresponding report presented at the SMART Regional Workshop for 2017; Official communication with SPO, February 2019.
Table 5. Retail prices ofselected drugs in the Republic of Korea in USD, 2016-2018 Drug type Unit 2016 2017 2018 Crystalline Per gram 422.5 363 388.8 methamphetamine (140.8 – 740.1) “Ecstasy” Per tablet 70.4 89.1 77.1 (26.4 – 114.4) (26.7 – 116) (26.7 – 115.7)) Cannabis herb Per gram 49.3 89.1 80 (10.6 – 88.0) (35.7 – 98.0) (35.6 – 133.5) Heroin Per gram 116 116 116 Note: ● = Not reported; Figures reported in Korean won were converted with the ratio as of 15 January 2019 (1 KRW = 0.00089 USD). Source(s): UNODC ARQ 2016 and 2017 for the Republic of Korea; SPO, “Synthetic drug situation in the Republic of Korea”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with SPO, February 2019.
58 REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Figure 6. Proportions of NPS identified in the Republic of Korea by substance type, 2011- 2018*
Synthec cannabinoids Synthec cathinones 21% 36% Phenetylamines Tryptamines 15% Others Piperazines 3% 9% Plant-based substances 4% 6% 6% Phencyclidine-type substances N = 67
Note: *Data accessed on 25 October 2018. Source(s): UNODC, early warning advisory on NPS.
59 Global SMART Programme 2019
60 SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • Since 2012, the number of people arrested for methamphetamine use has increased every year in Singapore. In addition, methamphetamine use accounted for the largest share (80%) of the total number of people who use drugs brought into formal contact with authorities for the first time in 2017 (see figure 2). • Seizures of crystalline methamphetamine have increased since 2014 while the retail price of the drug has decreased with no significant change in the average purity of the drug (see table 4).
“Ecstasy”1 • In recent years, the use of “ecstasy” and the average purity of the drug found in the country has increased. Given that the country’s “ecstasy” market is predominantly supplied from neighbouring countries, this may indicate increased availability of precursor chemicals for the drug in the region.
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • Various NPS have been identified in synthetic drug tablets sold as “ecstasy” in Singapore. Fentanyl2 was also identified in “ecstasy” tablets seized in the country in recent years.3 • Both the number of NPS related cases and the number of drug samples containing NPS have increased rapidly in the country.4
Other drugs • The number of heroin users arrested in the country has decreased every year since 2013 (see figure 1).
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of specific drugs in Singapore, 2013-2017* Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Methamphetamine # # # # # “Ecstasy” # # # Cannabis herb # # # #
1 MDMA may not be a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in Singapore. 2 Although fentanyl is not an NPS, it was included in the section, as its analogues and other synthetic opioids pose major NPS related chal- lenges in recent years at the global level. 3 Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) & Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Singapore”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 4 Ibid.
61 Global SMART Programme 2019
Heroin Ketamine # Nimetazepam Cocaine # # 1 Note: *Expert perception provided by CNB. = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP); UNODC Annual Report Questionnaires (ARQ) 2017 and previous years for Singapore; Official communication with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in August and September 2013; Official communications with CNB, November 2014.
Table 2. Drug treatment admissions by drug type in Singapore, 2013-2017 Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Methamphetamine 677 660 837 936 870 Amphetamine 1 1 0 0 0 “Ecstasy“ 16 7 0 1 8 Buprenorphine 0 0 0 0 0 Cannabis 87 73 85 97 71 Heroin 510 342 225 149 141 Ketamine 30 8 5 3 4 Benzodiazepines 43 16 18 7 2 Total* 1,364 1,139 1,213 1,263 1,152 Note: * Figures include other unspecified drugs. ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; Official communication with CNB, September 2013; Official communication with CNB, November 2014.
Figure 1. Trends in people who use Figure 2. People who use drugs brought methamphetamine or heroin brought into into formal contact with authorities for the formal contact with authorities, 2013-2017 first time by drug type, 2017
2,500 999 2,000 Methamphetamine 1,500 Cannabis Heroin Number of people 1,000 “Ecstasy” Benzodiazepine 500 157 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Ketamine
Methamphetamine Heroin 53 NPS Source(s): DAINAP; CNB, “Drug situation report 2017”, February 2018, and previous years; CNB, “Latest situation 25 1 on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Singapore”, 3 presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, 11 Thailand, August 2018. Source(s): CNB, “Drug situation report 2017”, February 2018; CNB, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Singapore”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
62 SINGAPORE
Table 3. Number of people who use drugs admitted to treatment centres by gender and drug type, 2017 Drug type Male Female Total
Methamphetamine 666 204 870 “Ecstasy” 8 0 8 Cannabis 68 3 71 Heroin 117 24 141 Benzodiazepines 2 0 2 Ketamine 4 0 4 Unclassified / other drugs 48 8 56 Total 913 239 1,152 Source: DAINAP.
Drug supply indicators
Table 4. Seizures of selected illicit drugs in Singapore, 2013-2018* Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Crystalline kg 44.1 12.5 15.6 18.3 22.2 16.2 methamphetamine Methamphetamine tablets 22,020 248 142 242 827 5,233.5 tablets “Ecstasy” tablets 7,327 3,874 2,943 3,891 4,744 3,218 Cannabis herb kg 15.6 35 44.3 54 44.1 46.1 Heroin a kg 72.4 67.5 53.7 52.4 36.9 44.1 Ketamine kg 4.3 2.5 2.3 1.5 1 0.7 Benzodiazepines tablets 62,943 17,682 33,686 19,550 19,580 5,195 Cocaine g 4,110 0b 0 2 66.4 2,750 LSD stamp 1 4 130c 704 180 131 Buprenorphine (Subutex) tablets 47 12 620 0 0 0 2,444 and 957 and 219 and Synthetic cathinones tablets / g ● 18 and 0.1 g 26 and 7.6g 490.9 g 3.3 g 1.6g 452 and 114 and 13 and 1 and 25 and Synthetic cannabinoids tablets / g ● 114.1 g 145.9 g 13.5 g 2506.8 g 7,849.5g Note: * Data for 2018 cover the first nine months and are provisional.● = Not reported. a Refers to Heroin No. 3. b Reported as less than 10 grams of cocaine seized c Some of these stamps contain NBOMe and other NPS. Source(s): UNODC ARQ Singapore for 2017 and previous years; DAINAP; Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), “Drug situation report 2017”, February 2018, and previous years; CNB,“Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Singapore”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with CNB in November 2018.
63 Global SMART Programme 2019
Figure 3. Number of NPS identified from Figure 4. Top 10 NPS identified in Singapore drug samples analysed by the Health by substance, 2017 Sciences Authority in Singapore by 300300 substance group 2016 – 2018* 296
60 250250
200200 50 150150
Synthec cannabinoids 40 100100
Synthec cathinones Number of sample s 81 79 78 58 Piperazines 5050 53 51 50 36 33 30 Plant-based substances 0 A T A e e A A Tryptamines CA CA m ACA loneon lon A ACA yl y -PICA -MiP hy t IN B o th u B e -PIN EtE - Ezola M B b THJ-2201THJ-2201 UBIN 20 Designer benzodiazepines M DiDibutylon D M M 5-Meo-MiPT5- D yl-4CN o-MDMB-PICo- AMB-FUBINACAAMB-F -MDMB-PINA o-EDMB-PINACo-E mym l-4CN-BINAC or Phenethylamines roo-MDMB-PINAC u or CuC lu luo F 5-Fluor5-Flu F Phencyclidine-type substances, 5-Fluor5- 10 including ketamine 5-Fluor5- Synthec opioids Source: HSA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses Others 0 to the threats in Singapore”, presented at the 2018 SMART 2016 2017 2018* Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
Note: * Data cover the first half of the year. Source: HSA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Singapore”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous years.
Figure 5. Top 10 NPS identified in Singapore by substance, 2018*
300 284 250
200
150
100 Number of sample s
50 44 38 25 20 19 17 12 12 11 0 A m A A e C e BE PMMA Ezola agynin Dibutylon lpentylone Mitr hy o-MDMB-PICA o-EDMB-PINAC o-MDMB-PINAC MMB-FUBINAC N-Et
5-Fluor 5-Fluor 5-Fluor Note: * Data cover the first half of the year. Source: HSA, “Latest situation on synthetic drugs and responses to the threats in Singapore”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
64 THAILAND
THAILAND
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • A sharp rise in seizures of methamphetamine, by quantity, in both tablet and crystalline forms was observed in Thailand in 2017 and 2018. Notably, the seizures of methamphetamine in 2018 were larger than the combined amounts of seizures reported between 2015 and 2017 (see figure 2).1 • The Government of Thailand estimates that 85 % of crystalline methamphetamine trafficked to the country is destined for other countries.2 • The use of methamphetamine has been rapidly expanding from 0.14% in 2007 to 0.95% in 2016 (past-year prevalence).3
“Ecstasy”4 • The use of “ecstasy” is limited in the country. However, the proportion of women admitted for using the drug in recent years has been higher in comparison to other drugs (see table 3).5 • The average purity of “ecstasy” tablets (over 50% of MDMA) found in the country remains high (see table 6).6
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • The use of synthetic NPS7 is not widespread in Thailand. However, non-medical use of ketamine is increasing in the country.8 • Kratom9 remains the most widely used drug in the country, according to the latest drug use household survey.10 • In January 2018, there was a seizure of fentanyl departing from Phuket, Thailand, and destined for Canada in January 2018.11
Other drugs • According to experts’ perception, heroin use has increased since 2014. This is consistent with the increasing number of people admitted for heroin use at treatment facilities in the country.
1 Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Thailand Drug Situation, presented at thend 42 Head of Law Enforcement Meeting for Asia and the Pacific (HONLA), Bangkok, Thailand, October 2018. 2 ONCB “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 3 ONCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2017 SMART Regional Workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam, August 2017; Saingam, “Substance Abuse Poly in Thailand: Current Challenges and Future Strategies”, Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research, Vol 7, 2018. 4 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 5 DAINAP. 6 ONCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 7 Synthetic NPS excludes ketamine and plant-based substances. 8 ONCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 9 Kratom is a substance derived from mitragyna speciosa and produces both stimulant and sedative effects. 10 In particular, liquid extracted from kratom mixed with other substances, including benzodiazepines, cough syrups containing codeine, and soft drinks, known as 4x100 is a major form of the drug used among youth. 11 Bilateral meeting with the Canada Border Service Agency in October 2018.
65 Global SMART Programme 2019
• The non-medical use of tramadol in the country has been increasing, in particular among youth.12 In response, the Government has amended the Drug Act to limit the distribution of the drug to patients older than 17 and to dispense not more than 20 capsules or tablets at a time.
Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Thailand, 2013-2017* Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Crystalline methamphetamine Methamphetamine pills “Ecstasy” ● Ketamine ● ● ● Cannabis herb Heroin Kratoma ● Note: * Based on expert perception; = Increasing, = Decreasing, = Stable, ● = Not reported; a Refers to its liquid form. Source(s): DAINAP.
Table 2. Drug treatment admissions in Thailand by drug type, 2013-2017 Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Methamphetamine 269,014 197,802 101,360 130,364 172,847 “Ecstasy” 185 224 202 8,422 524 Cannabis 14,304 13,360 8,720 15,206 14,616 Cocaine 30 32 30 84 25 Heroin 2,634 2,994 3,691 3,767 3,383
Inhalants 2,957 7,033 1,787 1,693 1,456
Ketamine 31 51 ● ● 381
Kratom a 9,789 5,687 1,727 5,327 6,828
Opium 2,888 3,191 3,691 3,165 3,841
Total 301,832 229,654 121,208 172,518 205,147 Note:a Includes users of kratom in leaf and liquid form. ● = Not reported. Source(s): DAINAP
Table 3. People who underwent treatment services for drug use by gender and by drug type, 2017 Drug type Male Female Total Methamphetamine 158,306 14,541 172,847 “Ecstasy” 355 169 524 Cannabis 14,408 208 14,616 Heroin 3,107 276 3,383 Opium 2,967 874 3,841 Cocaine 17 8 25 Kratom 6,770 58 6,828 Inhalants 1,409 47 1,456 Source(s): DAINAP
12 ONCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2017 SMART Regional Workshop, Hanoi, Viet Nam, August 2017. 66 THAILAND
Drug supply indicators
Table 4. Seizures of selected drugs in Thailand, 2013-2018 Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Methamphetamine tablets 113,000,000 112,910,000 108,300,000 93,700,000 240,051,853 515,146,570 tablets Crystalline kg 1,684.8 1,017 1,122.4 1,161 8,113.9 18,441.4 methamphetamine Ecstasy a tablets 18,324 31,381 11,467 8,807 80,433 203,407 Cannabis herb kg 28,943.3 32,199.4 24,554.3 3185.5 13,395.9 39,997 Cocaine kg 62.6 28.6 45.7 50.1 54.7 49.7 Heroin kg 750.1 378.7 202.5 147.5 599.4 1,085.4 Ketamine kg 24.4 40.1 25.8 95.1 617.4 720.2 Kratom leaves kg 40,245.3 60,211.6 75,097 91,006.2 97,993 50,422.7 Kratom liquid lt. 16,633.6 22,181.6 27,648.6 27,088.6 40,280.1 25,961.3 Note: ● = Not reported. a Ecstasy tablet seizures converted into estimated kg equivalents at 1 tablet = 300 mg. Source(s): DAINAP; ONCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with ONCB, January 2019.
Figure 1. Number of drug-related cases and Figure 2. Seizures of methamphetamine arrests, 2013-2017 tablet and crystalline methamphetamine in Thailand, 2013-2018 500,000
600 20,000
400,000 500 15,000 400 300,000 blets) ta
10,000 es (kg)
Number 300 Seizur 200,000
es (million 200 5,000 Seizur 100 100,000 0 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Methamphetamine tablet Crystalline methamphetamine
Arrests Cases Source(s): DAINAP; ONCB “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, Source(s): DAINAP; ONCB “Synthetic drug situation in presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Thailand, August 2018 and previous years; Official communication Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous years. with ONCB, January 2019.
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Map 1. Top 10 provinces for methamphetamine tablet seizures in Thailand, January-October 2018
MYANMAR Chiang Rai LAO PDR Chiang Mai Phayao Lampang
Sukhothai Nakhon Phanom
THAILAND
Singhburi Phra Nakhon Si Ayuhaya Pathumthani Bangkok Andaman Sea CAMBODIA
Gulf of Thailand
Over 120 million Between 20 and 40 million Less than 20 million
MALAYSIA
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Source(s): ONCB “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018 and previous years; Official communication with ONCB, December 2018.
68 THAILAND
Table 5. Purities of selected drugs analysed in Thailand, January-May 2018 Number of samples Typical purity range Proportion of samples within analysed (%) the typical purity range (%) Methamphetamine tablets 1,209 15-25 64.4 Crystalline methamphetamine 776 > 90 91 “Ecstasy” 197 50-60 43 Ketamine (powder and crystalline form) 97 > 90 88 Heroin 17 70-80 59 Cocaine 17 80-90 41 Source: ONCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
Table 6. Retail prices of selected illicit drugs in Thailand by region in Thai Baht, 2018 Drug type Northern Central North-eastern Southern Bangkok Methamphetamine 35-65 50-70 70-80 80 100-150 Tablet (per tablet) Crystalline methamphetamine 1,200-1,500 400-1,500 2,000-3,500 1,500-2,500 800-1,200 (per 0.6 gram) “Ecstasy” ● ● ● ● 400-450 (per tablet) Heroin ● ● ● ● 1,500-1,700 (per gram) Cannabis herb ● ● 5,000-12,000 15,000-18,000 8,000-10,000 (per kg) Ketamine powder ● 100-500 ● ● 100-800 (one dose) Note: ● = Not reported; Data cover the first quarter of 2018; As of October 2018, 1 US dollar is approximately 32.7 Thai baht. Source: ONCB, “Synthetic drug situation in Thailand”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
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70 VIET NAM
VIET NAM
Summary of major trends and emerging concerns
Methamphetamine • The use of methamphetamine continues to increase in the country, in particular among its youth population according to expert perception.1 The number of newly identified people who use drugs indicate that methamphetamine has become the preferred drug (see figure 3).2 • Large quantities of methamphetamine perceived to have originated from the Golden Triangle have increasingly been traffiked through the country’s northwest border.3
“Ecstasy”4 • “Ecstasy” manufacturing facilities have been continuously seized in the country, and in 2017 authorities dismantled a large-scale clandestine laborary.5
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) • Both the types and quantities of synthetic cannabinoids found in the country have been on the rise in recent years (see table 2 and figure 6). • Since 2016, large quantities of khat has been seized in Viet Nam, indicating the country’s increasing role as a major transit location for khat trafficking. As a result, seizures of the drug reached a record high in 2017 (see table 2). • The illicit manufature of ketamine was reported in the country in 2017, and four more illicit laboratories of the drug were dismantled by the end of August 2018.6
Other drugs • Heroin remains the primary drug of concern in Viet Nam, and continues to account for a large majority of registered drug users annually (see figure 2).
1 Standing Office of Drugs and Crime (SODC), “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 2 SODC, Viet Nam, “County report Viet Nam”, presented at the 15th meeting of the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD), Singapore, June 2018. 3 SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with SODC, February 2019. 4 MDMA could be not a main substance for some of “ecstasy” tablets sold as ecstasy in the country. 5 In July 2017, Viet Nam authorities seized 400 kg of “ecstasy” tablets, 85 kg of MDMA together with some quantities of safrole in Hanoi; SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018. 6 SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018.
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Key facts and figures
Drug demand indicators
Table 1. Trends in use of selected drugs in Viet Nam, 2013-2017* Drug type 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Crystalline methamphetamine ● Methamphetamine tablets ● “Ecstasy” ● ● ● Cannabis herb ● Heroin ● Opium ● ● Note: *Based on expert perception provided by SODC. = Increase, = Decrease, = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacfiic (DAINAP).
Figure 1. Number of registered drug users Figure 3. Types of drugs used by newly in Viet Nam, 2013-2018* registered drug users, 2014-2018*
250,000 100
80 200,000 ) Number 60
150,000 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* oporons (% 40 Pr Note: * Data cover the first eleven months of 2018. Source(s): DAINAP; SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet 20 Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with 0 SODC, February 2019. 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Heroin Figure 2. Registered drug users in Viet Nam Methamphetamine and others, including unspecified drugs by drug type, 2018* Note: * Data cover the first half of 2018. Source(s): SODC, “Increasing drug flows and production in the Golden Triangle”, presented at the.High-Level Conference on Transnational Organized Crime in Lao PDR and the Mekong Heroin Region, Viantiane, Lao PDR, November 2018. 152,226 Undetermined** Synthec drugs Figure 4. Registered drug users in Viet Nam 31,956 Poly drug users by age group (percentage), 2018* Cannabis herb 28,647 Unspecified other drugs Cocaine 4,557 48 < 16 years old 3,236 3,035 241 16 - 30 years old 51.9 Note: * Data cover the first half of 2018. > 30 years old ** SODC has noted that users in “the undetermined” category did not inform authorities what drug they were using. SODC has informed UNODC that a large porportion of them were either methamphetamine or NPS users. 0.1 Source(s): SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, Note: * Data cover the first eleven months of the year. presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Source(s): SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, Thailand, August 2018. presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018; Official communication with SODC, February 2019. 72 VIET NAM
Drug supply indicators
Table 2. Seizures of selected drugs in Viet Nam, 2013-2018* Drug type Unit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* Methamphetamine tablets 332,772 297,285 696,632 427,655 979,487 1,363,495 tablets Crystallline kg 118 352 983 839.6 856.9 1,755.7 methamphetamine 332 kg of 111 kg of ‘fresh’ and ‘fresh’ and 254.4 kg of Cannabis herb kg 442 4,500 479.8 225.7 kg of 376.4 kg of “dried” ‘dried’ ‘dried’ Cocaine kg 2.4 42.6 178 14.5 2.4 137 Heroin kg 940 922 1,510 607.8 906.7 1,584.4 Ketamine kg ● ● ● 4 17.6 6.2 Opium kg 117 32 133.8 92.1 167.1 196.7 Khat kg ● ● ● ● 5,600 2,500 NPS (XLR-11, synthetic kg ● ● ● ● 108 103.3a cannabinodis) Note: * Data cover the first eleven months of 2018.a Data as of June 2018. ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; UNODC Annual Report Questionnaire (ARQ) Viet Nam for 2016 and previous years; SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018, and previous country reports presented at past Regional SMART Workshops; Official communication with SODC, February 2019.
Figure 5. Number of drug-related cases and Figure 6. Synthetic NPS* identified in Viet arrests in Viet Nam, 2013-2018* Nam by substance group, 2017-2018**
40,000 10 10 35,000 8 30,000 6 25,000 5 20,000 4 Number 15,000 Number 3 2 10,000 2 2
5,000 0 s s 0 tance 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* tamines lamine yp hy Tr Arrests Cases Phenet Synthec cathinones clidine-type subs Note: * Data cover the first eleven months of 2018. Synthec cannabinoid Source(s): DAINAP; SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Phency Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018, and previou country Note: * Excluding ketamine and plant-based substances; ** Data reports presented at past Regional SMART Workshops; Official cover the first half of 2018. communication with SODC, February 2019. Source(s): SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018, and previous country reports presented at past Regional SMART Workshops.
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Table 3. Purities of selected drugs analysed in Viet Nam (percentage), 2017 Drug type No. of analysed Minimum Maximum Average samples Methamphetamine tablet 45 5.0 17.0 13.3 Crystalline methamphetamine 634 42.2 75.2 69.7 “Ecstasy” 153 19.1 42.7 29.9 Heroin 767 26.7 76.9 67.3 Ketamine 231 12.0 84.4 58.7 Source(s): SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018, and previous country reports presented at past Regional SMART Workshops.
Table 4. Wholesale and retail prices of selected drugs in Viet Nam in USD, 2017 Drug type Wholesale Retail Methamphetamine tablet* 2 per tablet 4 per tablet Crystalline methamphetamine 11,000-13,500 per kg 15-19 per g “Ecstasy” 6 per tablet 8 per tablet Heroin 6,900 -7,500 per 350 gram (1 block) 31-33 per g Cannabis herb 800 per kg 10 per g Ketamine 17,000-18,000 per kg 35 per g Note: * The Government of Viet Nam noted that the price was for the drug coming from the Golden Triangle, and did not include the price for the drug coming from China. Source(s): SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018, and previous country reports presented at past Regional SMART Workshops.
Table 5. List of synthetic NPS* identified in Viet Nam, 2017-2018** Number Substance group Substance name 1. JWH-122 2. AMB-Fubinaca 3. AB-Fubinaca 4. 5-Fluoro-AKB-48 5. AB-Pinaca Synthetic cannabinoids 6. AB-Pinaca-N-Fluoropentyl 7. MA-Chminaca 8. ADB-Fubinaca 9. PB-22 10. 5F-MDMB-PICA 11. 4-CEC 12. MDPBP 13. Synthetic cathinones α -Ethylaminohexanophenone 14. Ethylone 15. N-Ethylpentylone 16. 3-MeO PCP Phencyclidine-type substances 17. Tiletamine 18. 4-AcO-DMT 19. Tryptamines 4-HO-MET 20. 4-HO-DiPT 21. 5-APB Phenetylamines 22. 5-MAPB Note: * Excluding ketamine and plant-based substances; ** Data cover the first half of 2018. Source(s): SODC, “Synthetic drug situation in Viet Nam”, presented at the 2018 SMART Regional Workshop, Chiang Rai, Thailand, August 2018, and previous country reports presented at past Regional SMART Workshops.
74 Contact details
Global SMART Programme (East Asia) Global SMART Programme (Headquarters) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Vienna International Centre United Nations Building, 3rd floor, Block B P.O. Box 500 Rajadamnern Nok Avenue A-1400 Vienna Bangkok 10200, Thailand Austria
www.apaic.org
UNODC would like to thank the following Governments for their financial contributions to the Global SMART Programme.
AUSTRALIA CANADA CHINA JAPAN NEW ZEALAND
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