UNODC/HONLAP/34/2

15 November 2010 Original: English

Thirty-fourth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific
Bangkok, Thailand 30 November-3 December 2010 Item 3 of the provisional agenda Major regional drug trafficking trends and countermeasures

Statistics on drug trafficking trends in East, South-East and South Asia, Oceania and worldwide
Summary
The present report provides an overview of global trends in illicit drug production and trafficking, with a focus on East, South-East and South Asia and Oceania, (the Asia-Pacific region), based on the latest information available to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and data for 2008 and 2009. Cultivation of cannabis and production of cannabis derivatives, such as cannabis herb and cannabis resin, continued to affect all regions of the world, including the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia registered increased levels of cannabis herb seizures, and in 2008 cannabis resin seizures in the Asia-Pacific region were concentrated in India, Nepal and Viet Nam. At the global level, the illicit supply of opiates continued to be centred around Afghanistan. Cultivation in Myanmar, while still low in comparison with historical levels, has rebounded since the low level in 2006, registering a further slight increase in 2009. While large quantities of heroin continued to be trafficked into China from Myanmar, there was also evidence of significant amounts of heroin reaching the Asia-Pacific region, notably China, from South-West Asia.

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Coca bush cultivation continued to be concentrated in Colombia, Peru and the Plurinational State of Bolivia. In 2009, the area under coca bush cultivation once more fell significantly in Colombia, but continued to increase gradually in Peru. Although cocaine seizures in the Asia-Pacific region remained limited by comparison with global totals, significant increases were registered in some countries, possibly driven by trafficking to markets such as Australia and China. Manufacture, trafficking and consumption of amphetamine-type stimulants on a large scale continued to affect the Asia-Pacific region, which accounted for approximately one half of global methamphetamine seizures in 2008. Apart from trafficking within the region, emerging routes involved methamphetamine trafficked to the Asia-Pacific region from Africa as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran. A decreasing trend in ecstasy seizures in 2008 appeared to be sustained into 2009.

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Contents
Page

I. II.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Global trends in illicit drug crop cultivation and the production of plant-based drugs . . . . . . . A. B. C. Cannabis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 5 5 5 8 9 10 13 18 20

III.

Trends in illicit drug trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. B. C. D. Cannabis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opiates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cocaine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table Global and regional drug seizures, 2007 and 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Figures I. II. Opium poppy cultivation worldwide, 1999-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opium poppy cultivation in Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand, 1998-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7 8 10 12 14 15 17 19 21 24 9

III. Coca bush cultivation in Colombia, Peru and the Plurinational State of Bolivia, 1996-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV. Cannabis herb seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, 1998-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V. Distribution of global cannabis resin seizures, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VI. Opium seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, 2000-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VII. Heroin seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, 2008 and 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII. Proportion of heroin consignments seized in Pakistan intended for the Asia-Pacific region (by number of cases), 2002-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX. Distribution of cocaine seizures worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region, 2008 . . . . . . X. Methamphetamine seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, North America and worldwide, 2001-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

XI. Ecstasy seizures worldwide, 2000-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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I. Introduction
1. The present report provides an overview of developments in the production and trafficking of the main illicit drugs worldwide, with a specific focus on East, South-East and South Asia and Oceania. The term Asia-Pacific region is used to refer to all of these regions collectively.

A.

Purpose
2. The statistics and analysis in the report are based on the latest complete information available to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Chapter II of the report addresses the illicit production of cannabis, opiates and cocaine, and chapter III contains an update on seizure statistics for cannabis, opiates, cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). 1 The analysis of trends focuses on data for 2008 and, where available, data for 2009 and 2010. 3. The aim of this overview of trends is to assist national authorities in their efforts to combat illicit drug production and trafficking more effectively and to improve coordination of their action at the subregional and regional levels.

B.

Sources of information
4. Information on the cultivation of illicit drug crops and the production of plant-based drugs has been drawn mainly from the latest illicit crop monitoring surveys published by UNODC. The primary sources of information on seizure statistics and drug trafficking were the replies to the annual reports questionnaire, part III (Illicit supply of drugs), for 2009, 2008 and previous years submitted by Governments. Replies to the annual reports questionnaire, part III, for 2008 were submitted by 111 Member States and 4 territories, including 15 Member States2 and two territories 3 in the Asia-Pacific region. By 10 November 2010, replies to part III for 2009 had been received from 14 Member States and two territories in the Asia-Pacific region. A secondary source was data submitted by Governments to the Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP) and made available by the UNODC Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme. Other supplementary sources of information included reports on significant individual drug seizures and official Government reports (some of which are published electronically).

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1

Amphetamine-type stimulants, as defined by UNODC, consist of: (a) amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine); (b) ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)) and related substances such as methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) (the ecstasy-group substances); and (c) a number of other synthetic stimulants such as methcathinone, phentermine and fenetylline. Completed or partially completed replies were received from the following Member States in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In addition the Secretariat received one reply that had not been completed. Hong Kong, China and Macao, China.

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C.

Data limitations
5. Statistics on drug seizures offer valid, indirect indicators of trafficking trends. However, they should be treated with caution, as they also reflect different reporting practices and also depend on the level and effectiveness of law enforcement capacities.

II. Global trends in illicit drug crop cultivation and the production of plant-based drugs
A. Cannabis
6. Unlike illicit crops such as coca leaf and opium poppy, cannabis lends itself to diverse cultivation methods, being easily grown in varied environments. This makes assessing the extent of its cultivation and production difficult. However, UNODC estimates that cannabis continues to dominate the worlds illicit drug markets in terms of the pervasiveness of cultivation, volume of production and number of consumers. 7. It is believed that cultivation of cannabis and production of cannabis herb and cannabis resin occurs in numerous countries worldwide, including the Asia-Pacific region. In their replies to the annual reports questionnaire (part III) for 2009, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Philippines all reported that some or all of the cannabis herb or cannabis resin present in their markets originated in their own territory. Australia reported that, over the period July 2008 to June 2009, 828 seizure cases involved cannabis seed intended for home cultivation. 8. India reported the eradication of 4,265 hectares (ha) under cannabis cultivation in 2009. Cultivation took place in Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Kerela, Tamil Nadu and other northeastern states of India. According to Nepalese authorities,4 eradication of cannabis cultivation in Nepal fell from 472 ha in 2007 to 105 ha in 2008 and 62 ha in 2009. Indonesia eradicated 242 ha in 2009, up from 128 ha in 2008, and also reported that in 2009 cultivation took place in northern Sumatra. According to Vietnamese authorities, there appeared to be an emerging trend of cannabis cultivation in the northern provinces of Viet Nam. 5

B.

Opium
9. In 2009, the area under opium poppy cultivation worldwide fell to an estimated 181,400 ha, 6 a decrease of 15 per cent on the level in 2008 (213,000 ha).

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4

Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by Nepal. Sixth Meeting of the AIPA Fact-Finding Committee (AIFOCOM) to Combat the Drug Menace, May 2009, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Country Report by Viet Nam. Since limited information was available for 2009 from some countries with small but non-negligible levels of opium poppy cultivation, the global estimates of opium poppy cultivation, potential opium production and potential heroin manufacture for 2009 were subject to minor revisions.

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The estimated global potential production of opium fell from 8,640 tons in 2008 to 7,750 tons,6 while the estimated global potential manufacture of heroin fell from 750 tons in 2008 to 660 tons. 6 See figure I. 10. Globally, illicit cultivation of opium poppy and production of opium continued to be dominated by Afghanistan, which also accounted for a substantial portion of global heroin manufacture. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of the global supply of opiates continued to be derived from cultivation of opium poppy, production of opium and manufacture of heroin in South-East Asia. Reports from various sources indicated that opium poppy was also cultivated illicitly, albeit to a limited extent, in numerous other countries worldwide, including in some for which survey data were not available. Figure I Opium poppy cultivation worldwide, 1999-2009 (Hectares)
250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010*

Afghanistan

Myanmar

Rest of the world

The area under Rest of the world includes indirect estimates for some countries for which survey data was not available; since the methodology for these estimates was revised, the estimates for 2008 and 2009 are not directly comparable with previous years. However, the revision in methodology does not substantially impact the global totals. * For 2010, data available for Afghanistan only.

11. The total area under opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan peaked at 193,000 ha in 2007 and since then declined for two years running. See figure I. In 2009 and again in 2010, the area under cultivation amounted to 123,000 ha. The estimated opium yield in Afghanistan was unusually high in 2008 and 2009. On the other hand, a severe disease which affected opium fields in the major growing provinces resulted in a low yield in 2010. This resulted in a sharp decline in the estimate of opium production in Afghanistan, from 6,900 tons in 2009 to 3,600 tons in 2010 drop of 48 per cent. Afghanistan reported that, in 2009, clandestine laboratories were discovered in the northeastern, northern, eastern, southern and western regions of the country.

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12. In South-East Asia, opium poppy cultivation has traditionally taken place mainly in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. Cultivation in those countries tends to be on steep hills with poor soil and no irrigation facilities, resulting in lower yields than in Afghanistan. Figure II Opium poppy cultivation in Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand, 1998-2009 (Hectares)
140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Lao PDR

Myanmar

Thailand

13. In Myanmar, opium poppy cultivation declined markedly over the decade leading up to 2006, but followed a generally increasing trend after that year, reaching 31,700 ha in 2009. See figure II. While still small in comparison with the peak level of 1996, the area under opium poppy cultivation in 2009 represented increases of 11 per cent on the level in 2008 (28,500 ha) and 47 per cent on that in 2006. Shan State accounted for 95 per cent of cultivation in 2009. In spite of the increase in cultivation, the estimated potential production of opium in Myanmar fell from 410 tons in 2008 to 330 tons in 2009. 14. In the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, the area under opium poppy cultivation increased from 1,600 ha in 2008 to 1,900 ha in 2009. These levels are still very small in comparison with those registered in the period 1996-1999. The estimated potential production of opium increased from 9.6 tons in 2008 to 11.4 tons in 2009. Reports from the Government of Viet Nam indicated that opium poppy cultivation in that country was negligible. Thailands crop monitoring system indicated that opium poppy cultivation in that country was also very limited, amounting to 288 ha in 2008 (of which 284 ha were eradicated) and 211 ha in 2009 (of which 201 ha were eradicated). 15. India reported the eradication of 631 ha under opium poppy cultivation in 2008, and 2,213 ha in 2009. India further reported that, in 2009, illicit cultivation was discovered in some remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkand, Uttarakhand and Manipur.

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C.

Coca
16. Coca bush cultivation remained concentrated in Colombia, Peru and the Plurinational State of Bolivia, where the total area under coca bush cultivation peaked in 2007 (181,600 ha). It has since declined, falling from 167,600 ha in 2008 to 158,800 ha in 2009. The decline was due to the significant decreases in Colombia, which were only partially offset by a moderate increase in Peru. Expressed as a proportion of the total in these three countries, the area under cultivation in Colombia fell to 43 per cent, while the area in Peru rose to 38 per cent (see figure III). Figure III Coca bush cultivation in Colombia, Peru and the Plurinational State of Bolivia, 1996-2009 (Hectares)
2 5 0 ,0 0 0

2 0 0 ,0 0 0

1 5 0 ,0 0 0

1 0 0 ,0 0 0

5 0 ,0 0 0

0 19 96 1997 199 8 1 999 200 0 20 01 2002 200 3 2 004 2005 20 06 2007 200 8 2 009 C o l o m b ia P e ru B o l iv ia

17. In Colombia, the area under coca bush cultivation fell by almost one third over two years, from 99,000 ha in 2007 to 68,000 ha in 2009, and the estimated potential manufacture of cocaine declined for the fourth consecutive year, falling to 410 tons in 2009 40 per cent less than the level in 2005 (680 tons). The decreasing trend in cultivation was most pronounced in the Putumayo Caquet region, where the area dropped by one third, as well as the Pacific region. However, in 2009 the Pacific region continued to account for 37 per cent of the total for Colombia, followed by the central region, whose share remained slightly less than one quarter. 18. In Peru, cultivation of coca bush rose gradually but steadily over the period 2005-2009, amounting to 59,900 ha in 2009, the highest level since 1997 and close to one quarter more than the level in 2005. While cultivation remained essentially stable between 2008 and 2009 in the three major cultivating regions of Alto Huallaga, Apurmac-Ene and La Convencin-Lares, a pronounced increasing trend (in relative terms) was registered in a number of regions where cultivation has so far been limited, such as Aguayta, San Gabn and Palcaz-Pichis-Pachitea. 19. Following a gradually increasing trend over the period 2005-2008, cultivation of coca bush in the Plurinational State of Bolivia appeared to stabilize in 2009. The area under cultivation in 2009 was estimated at 30,900 ha, slightly higher than the

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level in 2008 (30,500 ha 7), but the highest since 1998 and one fifth more than the level in 2005 (25,400 ha 7 ). Cultivation continued to be concentrated in the Yungas of La Paz and in the Chapare region.

III. Trends in illicit drug trafficking

20. The table below shows the reported quantities of seized drugs for selected drug types in 2007 and 2008. Seizures attributable to countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region are expressed both in gross amounts and as a percentage of the global total for the corresponding drug type. In terms of the proportions of global seizures, in the Asia-Pacific region amphetamine-type stimulants and opiates remained the most prominent among the four major classes of illicit drugs; in particular, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for approximately one half of global methamphetamine seizures in 2008. Incomplete data for 2009 suggest significant increases in heroin and methamphetamine seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, while the increased level of cannabis herb seizures registered in 2008 was likely to be sustained or exceeded in 2009. Table Global and regional drug seizures, 2007 and 2008
Drug type Cannabis Cannabis herb Cannabis resin Coca Cocainea Opiates Opiumb Morphine Heroin ATSc Amphetamine Methamphetamine Non-defined amphetamines Ecstasyd
a b

2007 2008 Asia-Pacific Global Percentage Asia-Pacific Global (kilograms) (kilograms) (kilograms) (kilograms) 173,882 15,403 882 15,904 1,329 6,934 125 10,420 643 2,709 5,867,093 1,303,248 712,403 519,719 27,439 65,448 23,750 18,211 1,802 7,937 3.0% 1.2% 0.1% 3.1% 4.8% 10.6% 0.5% 57.2% 35.7% 34.1% 282,310 14,953 1,642 7,988 280 6,575 73 11,457 265 359 6,578,664 1,647,571 709,137 646,217 17,265 73,677 22,991 21,333 3,730 3,860

Percentage

4.3% 0.9% 0.2% 1.2% 1.6% 8.9% 0.3% 53.7% 7.1% 9.3%

Cocaine base and cocaine salts. Raw opium and prepared opium.

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Includes 12,000 ha under coca bush cultivation permitted by Bolivian law for traditional uses (Ley del Rgimen de la Coca y Sustancias Controladas, 1988).

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c Amphetamine-type stimulants are seized in various forms, including liquid and tablet form, and may be reported by mass, volume, number of tablets or other units. In specific cases seizure amounts may be reproduced as reported by countries, but aggregate quantities are expressed by mass. For the purposes of the aggregation, one tablet is assumed to contain 30 mg of active ingredient, with the exception of ecstasy tablets, which are assumed to contain 100 mg of active ingredient. Moreover, one litre of liquid is assumed to correspond to one kilogram. d Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

A.
1.

Cannabis
Cannabis herb 21. Global cannabis herb seizures rose gradually but steadily over the period 2005-2008, reaching 6,579 tons in 2008, slightly exceeding the peak level attained in 2004 (6,539 tons). The Americas continued to be the region with the highest share of global seizures, followed by Africa. In 2008, significant increases were registered, in absolute terms, in South America and Africa. In relative terms, significant increases were also registered in the Near and Middle East/South-West Asia, West and Central Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Figure IV Cannabis herb seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, 1998-2009 (Tons)
350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

Asia-Pacific total

India

Indonesia

* Total for 2009 subject to revision as more data become available.

22. In 2008, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 4.3 per cent of global cannabis herb seizures. Seizures in this region rose by 62 per cent, from 174 tons in 2007 to 282 tons in 2008, a level that was already surpassed by the partial total for 2009 at the time of preparation of the present report (323 tons). See figure IV. 23. The increase in 2008 was mainly due to the quantities seized in Indonesia, where seizures reached a record level of 141 tons. In 2009, seizures fell to 111 tons, but remained high in comparison with historical levels, which averaged 20 tons over

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the period 2003-2007. Indonesia assessed that 99 per cent of cannabis herb on its territory originated in Indonesia itself. The increased levels were attributed to improvements in law enforcement efforts, and the decline in 2009 to the success of alternative development programmes. 24. In 2009, cannabis herb seizures in India rose by almost two thirds, from 103 tons in 2008 to 171 tons the highest level since 1994. India assessed that 81 per cent of the cannabis seized on its territory in 2009 originated in India itself, with the remaining 19 per cent originating in Nepal. An unspecified proportion was intended for Bangladesh. 25. In Thailand, cannabis herb seizures amounted to 19 tons in 2008 and 18 tons in 2009. 8 According to Thai authorities, 9,10 cultivation of cannabis herb had been drastically reduced over a period of 20 years, and recent trafficking patterns for cannabis herb involved smuggling into Thailand from Lao PDR and out of Thailand into Malaysia. 26. According to Nepalese authorities, 11 in 2008 seizures of cannabis herb in Nepal rose to 9.6 tons in 2008 (the highest level since 1987), and increased by a further 73 per cent in 2009, reaching 17 tons. 27. In 2009 seizures in Malaysia rose sharply to 2.4 tons, from 875 kg in 2008. 12 On the other hand, seizures in the Philippines registered a significant decline, from 3.7 tons in 2008 to 1.9 tons in 2009. Bangladesh reported seizures of 2.3 tons in 2008 (up from 1.8 tons in 2007). 28. In Japan, seizures declined from 504 kg in 2007 to 382 kg in 2008 and 207 kg in 2009. Japan attributed the decline to a decrease in cases of illegal importation accompanied by an increase in illicit cultivation of cannabis. According to Japanese authorities, one case of large-scale indoor cultivation of cannabis in Japan involved six Vietnamese and one Japanese national. 13 Moreover, the number of arrests for cannabis cultivation rose from 207 in 2008 to 243 in 2009, while the number of arrests for smuggling of cannabis fell from 85 in 2008 to 48 in 2009. 14 Nevertheless, in 2009 cannabis herb also continued to be smuggled into Japan from other countries, such as Botswana, France, South Africa and the United States. 15

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8 9

10

11

12 13

14

15

Data submitted by Thai authorities to DAINAP. Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by Thailand. Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by Nepal. Data collated by DAINAP. International Intelligence Division, Narcotics Control Department, Japan. Presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Drugs and Firearms Division, National Police Agency, Japan. Presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Country report by Japan.

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2.

Cannabis resin 29. In 2008 global cannabis resin seizures rose by one quarter, reaching the record level of 1,648 tons from the 1,303 tons seized in 2007. Seizures continued to be concentrated in West and Central Europe (notably Spain), the Near and Middle East/ South-West Asia (notably Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan) and North Africa (notably Morocco). 30. From 2003 onwards the Asia-Pacific region accounted for one per cent or less of annual global cannabis resin seizures. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, the largest quantities of cannabis resin seized in the Asia-Pacific region were seized in India, Nepal and Viet Nam. See figure V. 31. In 2007 and 2008, Viet Nam accounted for the largest seizures of cannabis resin in the Asia-Pacific region. Seizures in this country amounted to 8 tons in 2007 and 8.8 tons in 2009. 16 According to Vietnamese authorities, 17 in May 2008, more than 8 tons of cannabis resin was seized in a single case in the town of Mong Cai. Figure V Distribution of global cannabis resin seizures, 2008

Rest of the world 0.8 % West and Central Europe 56 %

India 4.1 tons

Asia-Pacific 0.9 % North Africa 10% Viet Nam 8.8 tons

Nepal 2.0 tons

Other 79 kg

Near and Middle East/ South-West Asia 32 %

Total = 1,648 tons 32. Significant quantities of cannabis resin continued to be seized in India, although seizures in this country fell from the peak level of 2007 (5.2 tons) to 4.1 tons in 2008 to 3.5 tons in 2009. India assessed that, in 2009, one half of the cannabis resin present on its territory was trafficked into India from Nepal, with the remaining one half originating in India itself. The intended destinations included the metropolitan areas and tourist destinations within India, but cannabis resin was also trafficked from India to Europe and Canada.

33. According to Nepalese authorities, 18 seizures of cannabis resin fell from 2.0 tons in 2008 to 1.6 tons in 2009. Cannabis resin was produced in Nepal and trafficked to China and India via land. Cannabis resin was further distributed from India to other destinations via cargo couriers.
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Data collated by DAINAP. Seventh ACCORD Task Force III Meeting, Philippines, July 2008. Presentation by Viet Nam. Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by Nepal.

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34. In Japan, seizures of cannabis resin declined for the fifth year in a row, falling from 33 kg in 2008 to 17 kg in 2009 (compared with 327 kg in 2004). In 2008, total seizures of cannabis resin in excess of 10 kg were also made by Thailand (30 kg, falling to 11 kg 19 in 2009) and Hong Kong, China (13 kg, rising to 28 kg in 2009). Japan assessed that one quarter of cannabis resin seized on its territory originated in Thailand, and 31 per cent in Spain.

B.

Opiates
35. At the global level, the illicit supply of opiates continued to be centred around Afghanistan, from where heroin was trafficked to meet demand in the illicit markets of the Russian Federation and the rest of Europe. Moreover, heroin originating in Afghanistan also reached, in varying quantities, India, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. However, the main source of heroin consumed in China continued to be East and South-East Asia, notably Myanmar. In spite of this, it appeared that the availability of heroin from Afghanistan had increased. Apart from Afghanistan, the supply of heroin in India was also sourced, at least in part, from opium licitly cultivated in India and diverted to illicit manufacture. 20

1.

Opium 36. Global opium seizures rose steadily for six consecutive years, from 95.7 tons in 2002 to almost seven times more 646 tons in 2008. That was equivalent to consistent annual increases of 37 per cent for six consecutive years. The growth was driven mainly by the quantities seized in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which continued to report by far the largest opium seizures worldwide. Most of the remaining seizures were made in Afghanistan and Pakistan. These three countries together accounted for more than 97 per cent of global seizures in 2007 and 2008. 37. Expressed as a percentage of global opium seizures, annual opium seizures in the Asia-Pacific region fell from around 10 per cent over the period 2001-2003 to 1.2 per cent in 2008. The change was due to burgeoning seizures (since 2003) of opium originating in Afghanistan and a reduced level of opium seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, which fell from 16 tons in 2007 to 8.0 tons in 2008. 38. Over the period 2006-2008, Myanmar accounted for the highest level of annual opium seizures in the Asia-Pacific region. Seizures in this country peaked at 12 tons 21 in 2007, and then fell to 3.9 tons 21 in 2008 and even further in 2009, to 1.2 tons. 21 See figure VI. The decline may reflect a corresponding, albeit much less pronounced, decreasing trend in opium production in Myanmar over the same period.

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21

Data submitted by Thai authorities to DAINAP. Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, 2nd-5th February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by India. These figures include significant quantities of low grade opium.

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Figure VI Opium seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, 2000-2009 (Tons)

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Asia-Pacific total India China Myanmar*

* For Myanmar, figures include seizures of low grade opium. For 2009, total for Asia-Pacific region was unavailable.

39. Opium seizures in India declined gradually over the 2006-2009 period, amounting to 1.7 tons in 2009. India assessed that opium originated in its own territory in 2009. Apart from small areas under illicit cultivation, some licitly cultivated opium may be diverted to illicit channels.22 40. In China, opium seizures amounted to 1.4 tons in 2008 and 1.3 tons in 2009. It is believed that opium is trafficked into China from neighbouring Myanmar. Seizures declined in Thailand, from 268 kg in 2008 to 102 kg 23 in 2009, and in Hong Kong, China, from 183 kg 24 in 2008 to 46 kg in 2009. On the other hand, in Nepal opium seizures increased from 106 kg in 2008 to 256 kg in 2009. 25 2. Morphine 41. As in the case of opium, Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan continued to account for the vast majority of morphine seizures worldwide. In 2008, global seizures of morphine fell to 17 tons the lowest level since 2001. The preliminary total for 2009 amounted to 24 tons, still significantly lower than the levels registered globally over the period 2003-2006, during which Pakistan alone seized in excess of 20 tons annually (the highest levels worldwide for those years). 42. The share of global morphine seizures attributable to countries in the Asia-Pacific region has remained below 5 per cent since 1989, and amounted to 1.6 per cent in 2008 in particular. The only countries in this region to report
__________________
22

23 24 25

Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, 2nd-5th February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by India. Data submitted by Thai authorities to DAINAP. Data collated by DAINAP. Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by Nepal.

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morphine seizures in excess of 1 kg in 2008 were Myanmar (206 kg, rising to 326 kg in 2009) and India (73 kg, falling to 42 kg in 2009). 3. Heroin 43. In 2008, global heroin seizures reached a record level of 73.7 tons, up from 65.5 tons in 2007, registering the second consecutive year-on-year increase. Large quantities of heroin were seized in the subregions of the Near and Middle East/ South-West Asia (39 per cent of the global total in 2008), South-East Europe (24 per cent), West and Central Europe (10 per cent), East and South-East Asia (7.3 per cent), Central Asia and Transcaucasian countries (7.3 per cent), East Europe (5.4 per cent) and North America (3.1 per cent). 44. In 2008, heroin seizures in the Asia-Pacific region amounted to 6.6 tons, representing 9 per cent of the global total. Based on incomplete and preliminary data, the partial total for 2009 9.1 tons exceeded the level in 2009 already by 39 per cent. The increase was due mainly to the quantities seized in Myanmar and China. See figure VII. Figure VII Heroin seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, 2008 and 2009
2008
Total = 6.6 tons

2009*
Total = 9.1 tons

Australia Taiwan, Province of China Viet Nam Thailand Malaysia India 1.1 tons Myanmar China, Hong Kong SAR Singapore Other

Taiwan, Province of China Thailand Australia Malaysia Viet Nam India 1.0 tons

China, Hong Kong SAR

Sri Lanka Singapore Other

China 4.3 tons

Myanmar 1.1 tons

China 5.8 tons

* For 2009, figures were subject to revision.

45. In 2008, China registered the third highest level of heroin seizures made by a single country worldwide 4.3 tons. In 2009, seizures rose by one third, reaching 5.8 tons. In the past the supply of heroin in China has been mainly sourced from South-East Asia (notably Myanmar). However, reports suggest that significant quantities of heroin have begun to reach China from South-West Asia (notably Afghanistan), while trafficking from South-East Asia has also increased.

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46. Heroin from northern Myanmar entered China via Yunnan province; according to Chinese authorities, heroin seizures in Yunnan province rose slightly, from 2.9 tons in 2008 to 3.3 tons in 2009. Heroin seizures from South-West Asia registered a more pronounced increase, rising from 390 kg (seized in 234 cases) in 2008 to 1.5 tons (seized in 333 cases) in 2009. Limited quantities of heroin from South-West Asia were trafficked by air to the North-West of China (notably Urumqi), but an increasingly important route went from South-West Asia to the southeastern Chinese province of Guangdong, via transit countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Viet Nam. Five of the seizure cases in Guangdong province in 2009 together accounted for a quantity of 1 ton of heroin originating in South-West Asia. 26,27 47. The developing trends in trafficking of heroin from South-West Asia to the Asia-Pacific region were also borne out by reports of individual drug seizures reported by Pakistan. Among those cases in which the destination of the consignment was identified as a country or region other than Pakistan, the proportion destined for the Asia-Pacific region underwent a distinct change in the transition from 2005 to 2006. This proportion (by number of seizure cases) was relatively stable over the period 2002-2005 (ranging between 11 and 13 per cent), rose distinctly to 44 per cent in 2006, and again remained relatively stable since that year, ranging between 40 and 44 per cent. See figure VIII. It is likely that a significant portion of these consignments were ultimately intended for China. The proportion of cases in which China was identified as the country of destination rose sharply from less than 1 per cent in 2004 to 28 per cent in 2006, possibly reflecting the initial route observed by Chinese authorities involving direct shipments to Northwest China. Since 2006 these shipments appear to have been gradually replaced by shipments to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, possibly for further trans-shipment to their ultimate destinations (which may include China as well as Australia). This proportion also reached record levels in the case of several other countries in this region: Malaysia (22 per cent in 2008), Thailand (7 per cent in 2009), Nepal (6 per cent in 2009), Sri Lanka (5 per cent in 2009), and Bangladesh (3 per cent in 2009). These shipments may reflect the more recent trafficking route to Southeast China.

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26

27

National Narcotics Control Commission of China, presentation at the Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. National Narcotics Control Commission of China, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

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Figure VIII Proportion of heroin consignments seized in Pakistan intended for the Asia-Pacific region (by number of cases), 2002-2009 (Percentage)
50% 44% 40% 40% 43% 42% Rest of Asia-Pacific China Viet Nam Bangladesh Nepal Sri Lanka Thailand Malaysia

30%

20% 12% 10% 11% 11% 13%

0% 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

48. In Myanmar, heroin seizure levels in 2007 and 2008 were relatively low 68 kg and 88 kg respectively. However in 2009 heroin seizures reached 1.1 tons the highest level since 1997. This was concurrent with a similar increase in methamphetamine seizures in the same country. The total for heroin seized in 2009 included 762 kg seized in a single case. Myanmar seized three heroin refineries in 2009, and further reported that the increase in heroin seizures, together with increased eradication of opium poppy, contributed to an increase in the price of heroin, from 2 million kyats per kg in 2008 to 2.5 million kyats per kg in 2009. 49. Over the period 2000-2009, heroin seizures in India have been remarkably stable in comparison with other countries, remaining relatively unaffected by changes in production levels in Afghanistan and South-East Asia. Seizures amounted to 1.1 tons in 2008 and 1.0 tons in 2009. India assessed that, in 2009, all the opium and 55 per cent of the heroin trafficked on its territory originated in India itself. According to Indian authorities 28,29 Indian territory served as a transit point for heroin from Afghanistan destined for the consumer markets in Europe, Africa, North America, Australia and East Asia. However, the supply of heroin in India was also sourced, at least in part, from opium cultivated licitly in India and diverted to illicit manufacture. Heroin manufactured locally was of low quality, and was also trafficked to neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

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28

29

Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, 2nd-5th February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by India. Indian Customs, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials' Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010.

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50. In Viet Nam, heroin seizures reached a record level of 317 kg in 2009, double the amount in 2008 (156 kg). According to Vietnamese authorities, heroin was trafficked into Viet Nam through its South-West border and out of Viet Nam through its northern border. 30 51. In Malaysia, heroin seizures amounted to 297 kg in 2008 and 283 kg in 2009. 31 Malaysia was also prominent among the countries in South-East Asia cited with increased frequency as the intended destination of significant heroin seizure cases reported by Pakistan. Up till 2006, Malaysia had been mentioned as a country of destination in only 1 per cent or less of the cases in which the destination was identified as a country other than Pakistan itself, but this proportion amounted to 22 per cent in 2008 and 13 per cent in 2009. Apart from China, some of the heroin transiting Malaysia may have been intended for Australia. See figure VIII. 52. In Thailand, heroin seizures fell from 199 kg in 2008 to 143 kg31 in 2009. According to Thai authorities, 32 African drug trafficking organizations were employing female Thai couriers to traffic heroin originating in South-West Asia into China. The routes involved Thailand but also India (notably Delhi) and Nepal (notably Kathmandu) as transit points. A similar pattern was described by Vietnamese authorities, 30 involving West African syndicates employing female Vietnamese couriers to traffic drugs (of unspecified type) to countries such as China and India. 53. Heroin seizures in Australia rose from 80 kg in 2008 to 170 kg in 2009 the highest level since 2003. With reference to the period July 2008 June 2009, Australia reported a diversification in the embarkation points for seized heroin consignments entering Australia (29 countries, compared to 11 in 1999-2000); the most common countries of embarkation were Cambodia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand and Viet Nam. According to Australian authorities, 33 historically the majority of heroin imported into Australia had been sourced from South-East Asia, notably Myanmar, but in recent years greater quantities of heroin from South-West Asia had been seized at the Australian border. Australia also reported that five homebake heroin laboratories (in which codeine-based medications are diverted to heroin manufacture) were detected in 2008-09. Four of these were located in Western Australia and one in Queensland.

C.

Cocaine
54. Following a significant increase over the period 2002-2005, global cocaine seizure totals have followed a stable trend, amounting to 712 tons in 2007 and 709 tons in 2008. Seizures continued to be concentrated in the Americas and in Europe. See figure IX. However, the transition from 2007 to 2008 brought about a geographical shift in seizures towards the source countries for cocaine. Seizures in South America accounted for 59 per cent of the global total for 2008, compared with

__________________
30

31 32

33

Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by Viet Nam. Data collated by DAINAP. Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010. Australian Federal Police, Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010. Country report by Australia.

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45 per cent in 2007. This was mainly due to increases in several South American countries, notably Colombia, and simultaneous decreases in North America and Europe. Figure IX Distribution of cocaine seizures worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region, 2008 (kg = kilograms)
Central America 14% North America 17% West and Central Europe 8% Rest of the world 2% Asia-Pacific 0.23 % South America 59% Australia 930 kg China 530 kg Hong Kong, China, 66 kg Taiwan, Province of China, 64 kg Thailand, 13 kg India, 12 kg Other, 26 kg

Total = 709 tons

55. In the Asia-Pacific region, cocaine seizures amounted to less than 1 ton annually over the period 2002-2007, but rose to a record 1.6 tons in 2008. In Australia, seizures rose from 626 kg in 2007 to 930 kg in 2008. In 2009 seizures in this country fell sharply to 5.7 kg, but in 2010 two large seizure cases alone brought the partial total to more than 700 kg. 34 With reference to the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, Australia reported that nearly 70 per cent of cocaine detections (by number) occurred in the postal stream, and that Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Argentina, Canada, the United States, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, South Africa, Bolivia, Kenya and the Netherlands were all embarkation countries for detected cases of importation of cocaine consignments in excess of 1 kg. Moreover, Australia pointed to a possible shift away from importation of small quantities of cocaine. 56. In 2008 seizures rose to 530 kg 35 in the Peoples Republic of China, in addition to 66 kg that were seized in Hong Kong, China and 64 kg 36 in Taiwan Province of China. China (Peoples Republic of) reported seizures of 41 kg in 2009, while Hong Kong, China reported seizures of 112 kg. According to Chinese authorities, cocaine was mainly smuggled from South America across the Pacific ocean to cities on Chinas southeast coast. 37 57. In 2009, the Philippines registered a record level of cocaine seizures of 259 kg; in contrast, seizures in this country amounted to less than 5 grams over the
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34 35 36 37

Australian Federal Police Media release, October 14 2010. Data collated by DAINAP. Food and Drug Administration of Taiwan Province of China. National Narcotics Control Commission of China, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010.

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period 2003-2008. The increase was partly due to a large quantity of cocaine that was jettisoned in December 2009 close to the Eastern Samar province from a vessel on its way from South America to China (possibly Hong Kong, China). Two other significant cases resulted in the seizure of a total of 15.5 kg of cocaine in the Port of Davao. The Philippines assessed that 30 per cent of the total trafficked quantity reached the Philippines from Germany, and an additional 30 per cent from Malaysia, and that the cocaine was intended for China (in particular 40 per cent was intended for Hong Kong, China). 58. Malaysia seized 7.1 kg 38 of cocaine in 2008. According to Malaysian authorities, 39 syndicates comprised of African nationals were still active in Kuala Lumpur, and smuggled cocaine and heroin using Malaysia as a transit point. In Japan, seizures of cocaine rose from 5.6 kg in 2008 to 12 kg in 2009. 59. India reported seizures of 12 kg of cocaine in 2008 and again in 2009. According to Indian authorities, 40 cocaine in India was trafficked in small quantities and was consumed in restricted affluent circles, and individual seizures were usually very small. Thailand reported seizures of 12.8 kg in 2008. According to Thai authorities, 41 in 2009 seizures of cocaine in Thailand amounted to 5.8 kg and in 2010 the partial total had reached 17 kg by July.

D.
1.

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)

Amphetamine 60. Global seizures of amphetamine reached a record level of 23.7 tons in 2007, and essentially sustained this level in 2008, amounting to 23.0 tons. Amphetamine seizures remained concentrated in the Near and Middle East/South-West Asia and West and Central Europe, which together accounted for 96 per cent of global seizures in 2008. Seizures of amphetamine in the Asia-Pacific region remained limited, amounting to 73 kg in 2008 (less than 1 per cent of the global total) and, based on partial data, 66 kg in 2009.

2.

Methamphetamine 61. The Asia-Pacific region, notably the region encompassing Cambodia, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and bordering provinces of south China (often referred to as the Greater Mekong Subregion), continued to be affected by manufacture, trafficking and consumption of methamphetamine on a large scale. 62. Global methamphetamine seizures ranged between 18 and 19 tons over the period 2005-2007, but rose to 21.3 tons in 2008. East and South-East Asia (notably China) and North America (notably the United States) continued to account for the vast majority of methamphetamine seizures. Seizures in the Asia-Pacific region

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38 39

40

41

Data submitted by Malaysian authorities to DAINAP. Country Report by Malaysia, Thirty-third Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific, Denpasar, Indonesia, 6-9 October 2009. Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, 2nd-5th February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by India. Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010.

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continued to be dominated by the portion attributable to East and South-East Asia. Total seizures in the Asia-Pacific region rose slightly in 2008, reaching 11.5 tons, and more markedly in 2009, with the preliminary total amounting to 14.1 tons. See figure X. The increase in 2009 was largely due to the quantities seized in Myanmar. Moreover, there were signs of diversification in trafficking routes, with methamphetamine reaching the region from Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Figure X Methamphetamine seizures in the Asia-Pacific region, North America and worldwide, 2001-2009 (Ton equivalents)
26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

Rest of the world North America Asia-Pacific

* For 2009, Asia-Pacific total subject to revision as more data become available. Totals for other regions not available.

63. Methamphetamine seizures reported by China continued to be the highest in the Asia-Pacific region, amounting to 6.2 tons in 2008 and 6.6 tons in 2009. According to Chinese authorities, 42 there was an increase in trafficking of amphetamine-type stimulants from neighbouring countries (referred to as the Golden Triangle) into Yunnan province. Methamphetamine seizures in this province rose from 2.2 tons in 2008 to 3.2 tons in 2009. However, there also was an increase in domestic manufacture of illicit drugs, with the number of dismantled clandestine laboratories rising from 244 in 2008 to 391 in 2009. Manufacture occurred in particular in the provinces of Guangdong, Sichuan and Hubei, and the substances involved were mainly amphetamine-type stimulants and ketamine.
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42

National Narcotics Control Commission of China, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

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64. In 2009, a notable increase in methamphetamine seizures was registered in Myanmar. In the transition from 2008 to 2009, seizures of methamphetamine pills rose from 1.1 million to 24 million, seizures of crystalline methamphetamine rose from 14 kg to 124 kg, and seizures of methamphetamine powder rose from 3.9 kg to 339 kg. 43 This increase was concurrent with a similar increase in heroin seizures in the same country and may reflect a strengthened presence of law enforcement agencies in parts of Myanmar. 65. Thailand constitutes a major market for methamphetamine, and there were signs that trafficking in and demand for methamphetamine were on the rise. According to data collated by DAINAP, seizures of methamphetamine tablets rose from 14 million in 2007 to 22 million in 2008 and 27 million in 2009, while seizures of crystalline methamphetamine increased from 47 kg in 2007 and 53 kg in 2008 to 209 kg in 2009. According to Thai authorities, 44 manufacture of illicit substances was very limited in Thailand, and methamphetamine was trafficked into Thailand from neighbouring countries. Thailand was also being used by traffickers as a transit point for methamphetamine intended for other markets. 66. According to Thai authorities,44 there was an emergent trend of Iranian nationals trafficking methamphetamine into the region. This pattern was also to be observed in Japan, where Iranian nationals accounted for one fifth of arrests of non-resident foreigners related to methamphetamine. 45 In two incidents which occurred in July 2009 and February 2010, a total of five Iranian nationals were arrested in Malaysia for attempting to traffic a total of 75 kg of methamphetamine on flights from the United Arab Emirates. 46 In August 2010, police in Sri Lanka arrested three Iranian nationals, confiscating 16 kg of methamphetamine. 47 Turkey also reported that methamphetamine was smuggled overland from the Islamic Republic of Iran into Turkey and then trafficked by air to countries in East and South-East Asia such as Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. Indonesia also mentioned the Islamic Republic of Iran as a source country for methamphetamine in 2009, and Turkey as a transit country. Trafficking of methamphetamine from the Islamic Republic of Iran via Turkey was also confirmed by Philippine authorities. 48 67. Another emerging trend identified by Japanese authorities 49 was that of methamphetamine trafficking from Africa to Japan. The proportion of methamphetamine seized in Japan that was sourced from Africa increased from 7.4 per cent in 2009 to 36 per cent in the first half of 2010. The West and Central African countries of Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal were prominent among the source countries in Africa. It was unclear whether West Africa, already a hub for
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43 44

45

46 47 48

49

Data collated by DAINAP. Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference, February 2010, Tokyo, Japan. Country report by Japan. UNODC, Global SMART Update, Volume 3. March 2010. UNODC, Global SMART Update, Volume 4. October 2010. Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Country report by the Philippines. Japan Customs Intelligence and Targeting Centre, presentation at the Twentieth Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation (ADLOMICO), October 2010, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

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cocaine trafficking, was beginning to see the emergence of local ATS manufacture, or was simply serving as a transit point for methamphetamine manufactured elsewhere, possibly in South Africa. Nevertheless this trend, together with reports from other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, suggests that African trafficking syndicates active in the Asia-Pacific region may be expanding their activities to include trafficking of methamphetamine in addition to heroin and cocaine. Methamphetamine seizures in Japan amounted to 399 kg in 2008 and 368 kg in 2009. 68. In the Philippines, 854 kg of methamphetamine were seized in 2008, and seizures in 2009 amounted to 832 litres of methamphetamine (likely seized in liquid form) in addition to 149 kg of methamphetamine. The Philippines also dismantled 10 methamphetamine laboratories in 2008 (including four kitchen laboratories) and nine in 2009 (including eight kitchen laboratories), and further reported an increase of 36 per cent in the average price of methamphetamine hydrochloride in 2009, as compared to that in 2008. 69. According to data collated by DAINAP, methamphetamine seizures in Malaysia amounted to 1.0 tons in 2008 and 1.2 tons in 2009. These levels are significantly higher than those registered prior to 2008 in Malaysia. In a single seizure in May 2009, Malaysian police seized 978 kg of high purity crystalline methamphetamine in the city of Johor Bahru. 50 Methamphetamine seizures in Indonesia fell from 727 kg in 2008 to 238 kg in 2009 the lowest level since 2005; however, Indonesia also reported the seizure of 5 kitchen methamphetamine laboratories in 2008 and 17 in 2009. 70. Large numbers of ATS laboratories continued to be detected in Oceania. Australia registered a notable increase, from 11 ATS laboratories in 2007-08 to 316 in 2008-09. The majority of these laboratories were manufacturing amphetamine or methamphetamine. Following a decline in 2008, seizures of amphetamine and methamphetamine in Australia returned to levels comparable to those in 2007, amounting to 151 kg of methamphetamine and 21 kg of amphetamine in 2009. New Zealand seized 133 methamphetamine laboratories in 2008 and 135 in 2009; however, methamphetamine seizures in this country remained limited, amounting to 15 kg in 2008 and 11 kg in 2009. 3. Ecstasy 71. Global seizures of ecstasy fell from a record level of 7.9 tons in 2007 to 3.9 tons in 2008, the lowest level since 1999. The low level was partly due to significantly reduced seizures in Australia and the Netherlands. On the other hand, seizures increased markedly in the United States. In 2008, North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region collectively accounted for 99 per cent of global ecstasy seizures. See figure XI.

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50

UNODC, Global SMART Update, Volume 2. October 2009.

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Figure XI Ecstasy seizures worldwide, 2000-2009 (Ton equivalents)

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

Rest of the world Europe North America Oceania East and South-East Asia

* For 2009, totals for East and South-East Asia and Oceania were subject to revision, totals for other regions unavailable.

72. Seizures of ecstasy in Australia fell drastically, from the record level of 1.97 tons in 2007 to 51 kg in 2008 and 60 kg in 2009. The figure for 2007 includes a single extraordinarily large seizure of approximately 15 million tablets. However, the level in 2008 is low also by comparison with previous years. Over the period 2003-2006, annual ecstasy seizures in Australia averaged 1.1 tons. 73. The general declining trend in ecstasy seizures prevalent worldwide since 2007 (with the notable exception of North America) was also to be seen in several other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. By 2009, seizures had fallen to 106 kg in China (from 222 kg in 2007), 40 kg in Indonesia (from 151 kg in 2007), 9.2 kg in Japan (from 129 kg in 2007), 7.6 kg 51 in Malaysia (from 183 kg in 2007) and 5.8 kg in Thailand (from 28 kg in 2007). Malaysia seized 12 ecstasy laboratories in 2008 but only one in 2009.51 However, Indonesia reported that nine kitchen laboratories manufacturing ecstasy were seized in 2008 and 18 in 2009.

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51

Data collated by DAINAP.

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