Drug issue remains severe in Kokang area
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Htet Nadi/Thuta Kyaw (NP News) - June 29
The situation of drug control is still not good, said Mr. Li Lao Bao, Vice Chairman of the Kokang Special Region (1) Administrative Committee, according to information provided in their statement.
Although drug eradication efforts are said to be underway in the Kokang region, the situation remains so dire that even Kokang police officers tasked with making drug arrests are being tested for drug use before carrying out their duties.
On June 26, a ceremony was held in Dongcheng Town, Laukkai Township, Kokang Region, to burn seized drugs to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Vice Chairman of the Kokang Special Region (1) Administrative Committee made the confession at the ceremony.
They reported that throughout the year, 157 drug-related crimes were solved and a large amount of various drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine, and raw materials for drug production were seized.
Mr. Li Lao Bao said that despite the continuous improvement of anti-drug laws and regulations and effective anti-drug operations, the number of drug users in special region has decreased significantly and the amount of drugs has decreased, but the anti-drug situation has not reached the expected level.
He said that it is very difficult to prevent the entry of new types of modified drugs, and that the concealment of new types of drugs is more subtle and deceptive than traditional drugs, creating new challenges for current counter-narcotics efforts.
He also said that in facing these new challenges, the power of law enforcement and officials alone is no longer sufficient, and it is necessary to create a strong anti-drug force that involves the entire society and the entire people.
The MNDAA, which currently controls Kokang, is the armed group that led Operation 1027, and during that operation, reports emerged indicating that some of its fighters and allied forces used narcotics while engaging in combat. –