No longer just the “redneck" drug of choice, the manufacture, trafficking and use of methamphetamines in East Asia and Southeast Asia pose a growing threat. The UN Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) Report also highlights that most of the methamphetamines seized in the region is also manufactured there, reflecting rising production in last 5 years. “The international community has taken its eye off the ball on illicit drug production and trafficking in East Asia, The numbers are heading in the wrong direction. We must be pro-active on all fronts to assist the countries of the region to counteract these threats and prevent East and South-East Asia from again becoming a major illicit drugs hub.” according to Gary Lewis of UNODC - Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific. Read: - “Designer Drugs in Fashion Over Vintage Highs” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/designer-drugs-in-fashion-over-vintage-highs-un-report-by-ambassador-mo/30321 Multi-national & Multi-continental Threat: In addition to threats from regional organized crime groups, the report also draws attention to the growing reach and presence in Asia of transnational organized criminal groups from outside the region. China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam have recorded meth trafficking by “African groups”. Reportedly “Iranian groups” are also looking to establish illicit manufacturing operations for amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. “ATS rank among the top three drugs of use in all 15 countries surveyed in the region. In 10 of those countries, ATS use increased last year. Only Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea reported stable or declining usage. The use of crystalline methamphetamine has also expanded to countries which had not previously reported it, including Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. The manufacture and use of ecstasy declined in East and South-East Asia, a development consistent with global trends.” See Film Report – “Designer Drugs Rise” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/designer-drugs-rise/27553. Overall, China, Myanmar and the Philippines remain the largest illicit manufacturers of ATS, with significant increase in production reported in Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to the report. Read: -“$2.1 Trillion in Criminal Enterprise Value” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/21-trillion-in-criminal-enterprise-value-or-36-of-global-gdp-by-ambassador-mo/38334 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX War Crimes Justice” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice