Laos Goes Torch‑Party to Beat Drugs
Picture a tiny town in northern Laos turning a brawl of illegal meds into a blazing spectacle. That’s exactly what happened on the International Day against Drug Abuse, when local authorities set fire to about 40 kg of heroin and a measly yet mighty handful of Yaba pills—a tiny drop in a region drowning in narcotics.
Why This Matters in the “Golden Triangle”
We’re talking about the Golden Triangle: a messy patch that cuts across Thailand, Myanmar, China, and Laos. It’s the world’s second‑biggest drug hub, and the fireworks in Laos were just one of many burn‑off events across Southeast Asia.
What Was Burned?
- Bricks of dull‑grey heroin
- Stacks of vanilla‑smelling Yaba (coffee‑maddened meth)
- Heaps of “ice” – the frosty cousin of meth
Each day, massive seizures pile up—last week alone, Thailand smashed through 6 tonnes of meth. Laos, landlocked and carving a niche as a transit point for Myanmar’s meth and its own opium, is hotly trying to stamp out the trade.
Inside the Blaze: A Rare Look
AFP slipped into Laos’ most guarded communist nation to cover the incineration. The ceremony was held in Xam Neua, an eastern outpost that frequently hosts smugglers headed for Vietnam. It was a smoky reminder: “We’re not backing down.
Ice and Yaba Going Up in Smoke
Myanmar, too, got its own flamboyant torching, burning a massive stash—over 187 million USD worth of pills, cannabis, and heroin in Yangon, Mandalay, and Taunggyi. Thailand kicked off earlier, catapulting six tonnes of meth into flames.
These combustion shows are more than clean‑up; they’re a loud warning that the drugs worth an estimated 40 billion dollars can’t hide forever.
What the UN Says
Unodc’s Erlend Falch mused, “The meth markets are getting bigger in Southeast Asia.” He added, “Every corner of the region is seeing record seizures—this year’s figures are blowing the lid off the old numbers.”
The message is clear: cooperation across borders is the only lifeline for those trying to curb the rogue manufacturers in Myanmar’s chaotic Wa Territory, and the gangs that keep the supply flowing.
Bottom Line
- Laos, Myanmar, Thailand are all burning down their drug stockpiles—literally.
- Every torch‑off event is a slap on the wrist for traffickers.
- The real fight? Cross‑border teamwork and fighting corruption, especially in the Golden Triangle.
So while the smoke fades, the message burns bright: fewer illegal drugs mean more peace in a region that’s seen too much war on the streets.
