Expect a narcotics flood from Burma, US drug chief warns

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Expect a narcotics flood from Burma, US drug chief warns
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation 2011-09-16

The United States yesterday warned Thailand of an increase in production and export of illicit drugs from neighbouring Burma following the success of narcotics control activities in Afghanistan.

"Burma is likely to be a greater producer and a greater exporter of illicit drug in years ahead because of the success of the international community in controlling and reducing their flow from Afghanistan," said William Brownfield, US assistant secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law EnforcementAffairs. Brownfield was in Thailand yesterday to meet with narcoticsconcerned officials including the foreign minister, police chief, judges and the attorneygeneral to discuss cooperation on narcotics suppression.

Thailand, as an immediate neighbour to Burma, has to address the reality of increasing production and the transit of heroin, opium and methamphetamines and other artificial drugs in the years ahead, he said.

"Controlling a border requires a deep border strategy where you do not simply try to control your border checkpoints. You develop your information and intelligence well into the exporting country as well as your own country to control and identify those who are trafficking narcotics," he said.

The US would intensify its cooperation to support the new Thai government in fighting narcotics, he said, but noted that he hoped the new government would not operate the same way as previous governments in their war on drugs.

"We are consistently adjusting, modifying and improving our approach. Things we tried 1971 we don't do today since we have learnt what worked and did not work. I expect the same rules and laws apply to Thailand's law enforcement community as well as other communities in the world," he said.

Law enforcement for illicit drug combating should be adjusted to compete with narcotics syndicates, he said. "They are extremely well equipped in trafficking in illicit products they send to the market, therefore it's important for all of us to have the same skills. The key success is the cooperation among nations," he said.

Washington is also willing to extend cooperation in Burma on narcotics combating although the two countries have no full diplomatic relations, he said. But "we are willing to work on specific, concrete issues that are in the interest of Burma and the US. Drugs is one those issues."