HUGE DRUG HAULS CAUSE CONCERN

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

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

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

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

Increase In Drug Abuse

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

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

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

Threat To Region

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

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