The Latest Breaking News from UNODC

UN anti-drug agency warns there is no let-up in methamphetamine trade from Asia's Golden Triangle

The United Nations anti-drug agency is warning that the huge trade in illegal drugs such as methamphetamine from Southeast Asia's ‘Golden Triangle’ shows no signs of slowing down

The Independent UK · Jun 2, 2023

UN says organised crime shifting drugs routes in Southeast Asia

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime says almost 151 tonnes of methamphetamine seized in Southeast, East Asia in 2022.

Al Jazeera · Jun 2, 2023

Two Rights Groups: Iran Executions Surge in Bid to 'Spread Fear'

Two rights groups revealed on Thursday that Iran is using death penalty as an “execution machine” aimed at spreading fear as protests shook the country in 2022. According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and France's Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), Iran hanged 75 percent more people in 2022…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 14, 2023

Despite the Taliban's pledge to eradicate opium, the poppy trade still flourishes in Afghanistan

The Taliban have always had a complicated relationship with the opium trade. As a narcotic, opium is haram, or forbidden under Islamic law. But at the same time opium production has tended to increase in areas they have controlled, where local leaders reportedly raise money to fund their operations by…

The Conversation · Feb 7, 2023

Russian soldiers must be on drugs to commit 'very violent acts' seen in Ukraine

Kamran Niaz, an epidemiologist for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), tells The Mirror how the horrors seen in Bucha, Kherson and Kharkiv can't be carried out by people with a "normal mindset"

Daily Mirror · Feb 2, 2023

Myanmar opium cultivation surging under military rule: UN report

Opium cultivation in military-ruled Myanmar jumped 33% last year, reversing a six-year downward trend in the strife-torn country, a United Nations report said on Thursday.

Bangkok Post · Jan 26, 2023

Myanmar opium cultivation surging under military rule - UN report

Opium cultivation in military-ruled Myanmar jumped 33% last year, reversing a six-year downward trend in the strife-torn country, a United Nations report said on Thursday.

Reuters · Jan 26, 2023

Opium cultivation surges since Myanmar military seized power: UN

Opium poppy was cultivated on more than 40,000 hectares in Myanmar last year, a 33 percent increase compared with 2021.

Al Jazeera · Jan 26, 2023

COVID-19 cut known human trafficking, but Ukraine war a risk: U.N

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the first drop in the known number of human-trafficking victims in 20 years as trafficking opportunities and policing were reduced, but the Ukraine war has probably now caused a new surge, a U.N. report said on Tuesday.

Reuters · Jan 24, 2023

Thai army kills 5 suspected drug smugglers near ‘Golden Triangle’

Almost 500,000 methamphetamine pills found after clash between Thai forces and suspected smugglers in Thailand’s north.

Al Jazeera · Jan 13, 2023