LAOS police uncovered 36 million methamphetamine pills in their second-biggest single seizure of illegal drugs, said the United Nations (UN) today.

Officers netted Asia’s biggest ever haul in the same area three months ago, when they found 55 million meth pills in a beer truck.

Laos, along with Myanmar and Thailand, is part of the Golden Triangle that has been a hub for the lucrative drug trade in Southeast Asia for decades.

Since Thailand ramped up border patrols to stop the spread of Covid-19, Laos has become a gateway for traffickers moving meth out of troubled Shan state in Myanmar across the Mekong River into Thailand.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime regional representative Jeremy Douglas said four people were arrested in connection with the drug bust in Huay Xai, Bokeo, on Wednesday.

Authorities also found 590kg of crystal meth, he added.

“Those four who were arrested were pretty low level… there were no kingpins.”

Photos show the suspects and police in front of a wall of drugs – sacks piled up like sandbags.

Douglas said: “It is Laos’ second-biggest seizure ever. Thailand has never made a seizure that size.”

Thai media reported that heroin and a shotgun were also found during the night raid.

The meth tablets are believed to be destined for Thailand, but the ice is intended for higher value markets, including Australia, said the official.

The glut of meth pills in the region has sent street prices plummeting in Bangkok and other cities in Southeast Asian.

Experts said meth production is at an unprecedented level and has been exacerbated by the coup in Myanmar a year ago, which paralysed the economy and livelihoods.

The lawlessness is providing ideal conditions for illicit drug labs to flourish, with a largely unchecked supply of precursor chemicals flooding in from China. – AFP, January 29, 2022.