ASIA AMPHETAMINE RINGS TARGETING EUROPE - PAPER

BANGKOK, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Europe is the new target destination for
amphetamines produced in the notorious Golden Triangle straddling the
borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, a Thai newspaper said on Saturday.

The English-language Nation quoted international anti-drug officials as
saying that recent seizures of amphetamines indicated that Golden Triangle
cartels were becoming major suppliers to the world.

Unlike heroin, Golden Triangle amphetamine trafficking was perceived, until
recently, as being contained in Southeast Asia.

"There is growing evidence that the situation is changing," said the
official who asked not to be identified.

"There is mounting concern that the large-scale production of amphetamine
tablets in Southeast Asia will lead to growth in smuggling and abuse of the
substance in other regions, including Europe," he said.

The first known seizure outside Asia of amphetamines originating in the
Golden Triangle was reported in Switzerland, the paper said. They arrested
a Thai national and seized 28,500 tablets in July last year.

According to the Lisbon-based Europe Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug
Addiction, amphetamine use is on the rise in Europe.