Myanmar authorities have confiscated 12.4 tonnes of precursor chemicals that can be used in the production of speed and crystal methamphetamine, or ice, in a move they believe will weaken the manufacturers of illicit drugs in the Golden Triangle.
The seizure of the chemical compound sodium ethoxide was conducted by the Myanmar Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control in Shan State, said Niyom Termsrisuk, secretary-general of Thailand's Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
"That amount of drugs is enough to produce at least 11 tonnes of crystal meth or 740 million speed pills," Mr Niyom said.
"Under the Golden Triangle 1511 Operation, Myanmar authorities have been seizing drugs and substances continuously. Over the past two months, in Myanmar, 52.1 tonnes of chemical compounds have been confiscated. This should prevent the production and distribution of drugs in many countries," he said.
Since the operation was initiated in December last year, the authorities of Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have seized 62 tonnes of precursor chemicals, affecting the production of 1.35 billion speed pills or 32.4 tonnes of ice, he said.
The operation was first initiated by Thailand and then proposed to five countries in the Mekong region to boost pressure on drug syndicates in the Golden Triangle.
The operation involves narcotics control activities, especially in the Golden Triangle area where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers.
Separately, the Border Patrol Police yesterday announced the arrest of six members of a drug gang from Surat Thani and Kanchanaburi along with the seizure of 151,200 speed pills, 1.2 kilogrammes of crystal meth and two pick-up trucks worth 2 million baht.
Pol Col Somchai Srisornyut, superintendent of Border Patrol Police Division 41, said the arrest came after police received a tip-off on Monday about two alleged drug dealers, Ariya Wiriyavej, 33 and Aekpan Prueksawanich, 34.
