Myanmar junta authorities said they torched almost half a billion dollars worth of illegal drugs on Monday (June 26), but warned they were failing to stop a surge in production and trafficking of narcotics.
Head-high piles of heroin, cannabis, meth and opium were burned in commercial hub Yangon, AFP reporters said, in an annual spectacle to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
"Even though countless drug abusers, producers, traffickers and cartels were arrested and prosecuted, the production and trafficking of drugs have not declined at all," Mr Soe Htut told the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Analysts say the military – which ousted an elected government and seized power in 2021 – is not serious about ending the lucrative trade.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
This week's top reads from The Straits Times, June 24, 2023Catch up on some of the week's top reads. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Morning Digest, June 24 - Singapore NewsHere are the top stories you might've missed...
Read more »
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 25A selection of news stories that happened overnight, June 25, 2023. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on June 25, 2023You are reading the Morning Briefing newsletter. Get the news that prepares you for the day ahead, delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Evening Update: Today's headlines from The Straits Times on June 25, 2023You are reading the Evening Update newsletter. Get up to speed with the important stories from the day. Subscribe to our newsletter. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 26Greek conservatives storm to victory in repeat election Greece’s conservative New Democracy party stormed to victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday with voters giving reformist Kyriakos Mitsotakis another four-year term as prime minister. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »