Tag

Drugs And Crime

All articles tagged with #drugs and crime

drugs-and-crime1 year ago•2 min saved

"Oregon Bust: 1.4 Tons of Liquid Heroin Seized, 4 Arrested"

Liquid heroin, a highly addictive opioid, is powdered heroin dissolved in water and heated for injection, crossing the blood-brain barrier faster than other forms and leading to intense effects and high potential for addiction. Its use comes with serious and often deadly side effects, including drowsiness, impaired cognition, decreased respiratory function, and long-term health issues. In a recent "astronomical" bust in Oregon, 1.4 metric tons of liquid heroin were seized, leading to the arrest of four men connected to a Mexico-based transnational criminal organization.

via USA TODAY|

#addiction #drug-trafficking #drugs-and-crime

drugs-and-crime2 years ago•2 min saved

Myanmar Surpasses Afghanistan as Global Opium Leader: UN Report

Myanmar has surpassed Afghanistan as the world's top opium producer, according to a United Nations report. The decline in opium cultivation in Afghanistan after a Taliban-imposed drug ban in 2022 has shifted global supply to Myanmar, where political instability following a 2021 coup has driven many to poppy farming. Opium cultivation in Myanmar has increased by 18% from 2022 to 2023, with farmers now earning 75% more from opium poppy farming. The report highlights the link between opium cultivation in Southeast Asia and poverty, lack of government services, and insecurity. The UNODC warns of a "convergence" of criminal activities in the region, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and online scams.

via Al Jazeera English|

#afghanistan #drugs-and-crime #myanmar

drugs-and-crime2 years ago•2 min saved

Myanmar Surpasses Afghanistan as World's Largest Opium Producer

Myanmar has surpassed Afghanistan as the world's largest producer of opium, according to a United Nations report. Myanmar produced an estimated 1,080 metric tonnes of opium this year, while opium production in Afghanistan slumped by 95% due to the Taliban's ban on poppy cultivation. The "Golden Triangle" region between Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand has long been a hub for illegal drug production and trafficking. Myanmar's opiate economy is now valued between $1 billion and $2.4 billion, equivalent to 1.7% to 4.1% of the country's GDP. The increase in poppy cultivation in Myanmar is attributed to conflict, instability, and poor access to markets.

via The Guardian|

#afghanistan #drug-trafficking #drugs-and-crime

drugs-and-crime2 years ago•1 min saved

Taliban's Ban on Opium Poppy Causes 95% Plummet in Afghanistan's Supply - U.N.

Opium poppy production in Afghanistan has plummeted by 95% since the Taliban banned its cultivation last year, according to a United Nations report. Opium cultivation fell to just 10,800 hectares in 2023 from 233,000 hectares the previous year, significantly reducing the global supply. This decline could have major consequences for the Afghan economy, as the value of poppy exports had at times exceeded that of all formal exported goods. While the decrease in opium supply may lead to a drop in international opium use, it also risks increasing the use of alternatives such as fentanyl or synthetic opioids. The UNODC called for investment in sustainable livelihoods to provide Afghan farmers with alternative opportunities.

via Reuters|

#afghanistan #drug-production #drugs-and-crime

drugs-and-crime2 years ago•2 min saved

Colombia's Record-Breaking Coca Cultivation Revealed in UN Report

Colombia has reached a new record in coca cultivation, with 230,000 hectares of land planted with coca last year, according to a United Nations report. This marks a 13% increase from the previous year and the highest numbers since monitoring began in 2001. Potential cocaine output also rose by 24% to approximately 1.73 million kilograms. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a new approach to combat drug trafficking, proposing the regulation of narcotics, voluntary crop substitution programs, and increased social funding in production areas. The majority of Colombia's coca crops are grown in southern departments bordering Ecuador and in North Santander on the border with Venezuela, with a significant portion found in Indigenous reserves, forest reserves, and natural parks.

via Al Jazeera English|

#coca-cultivation #cocaine-production #colombia