EXCLUSIVE: In a signal that Asia’s drug syndicates have moved into the lucrative opioid market, Reuters reveals more than 3,700 liters of methylfentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid, has been seized by Myanmar police by tom_allard
JAKARTA - Myanmar police say they have seized a huge haul of liquid fentanyl, the first time one of the dangerous synthetic opioids that have ravaged North America has been found in Asia’s Golden Triangle drug-producing region.
The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime said the scale of the bust was unprecedented and Myanmar’s anti-drug authorities had “dismantled a significant network” during a two-month operation involving police and military. Also seized were almost 163,000 litres and 35.5 tonnes of drug precursors, as well as weapons. There were more than 130 arrests.
“We have repeatedly warned the region fentanyl could become a problem but this is off the charts,” said the UNODC’s Southeast Asia and the Pacific representative Jeremy Douglas.While Myanmar police did not disclose the purity and exact make-up of the methylfentanyl found, it comes in two main variants, both more potent than fentanyl, according to the European Union’s drug monitoring agency.
“Upon interrogation, the offenders revealed most of the drugs would be distributed inside Myanmar and distributed around neighbouring countries,” he said.Liquid fentanyl is usually converted into powder before being sold, often in tablet form, two analysts, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.As well as being easier and cheaper to produce than heroin, strong synthetic opioids like fentanyl can be readily concealed and transported as only small amounts can deliver thousands of doses.
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