Patterns and trends of amphetamine-type stimulants and other drugs ...

Regional Trends: South Asia 1
The subregion of South Asia consists of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and
Sri Lanka. In this chapter, the focus is on those countries where the risk of increasing use of
amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) is the greatest, namely Bangladesh, India, Nepal 2 and Sri
Lanka. Although risk exists in the other countries, little information is available from Bhutan and
the Maldives (INCSR, 2010). 3
Unfortunately, dedicated data collection mechanisms on this important issue are still absent in
most countries in the region and even where such mechanisms exist, they may not have the
capacity to differentiate between various synthetic drugs. There is also a need to further improve
forensic information which can provide important insights into the origin of synthetic drugs.
Nevertheless, the rising number of discoveries of several clandestine methamphetamine-related
laboratories in South Asia over the past two years shows that countries in the region are increasingly
being used as locations of illicit ATS manufacture.
In recent years, the vulnerability of South Asia to ATS traf cking and manufacture has become
evident. International drug trafcking organizations have sought to convert the subregion into a
major base, given the wide availability of precursor chemicals required to manufacture illicit synthetic
drugs throughout the subregion, coupled with good technical knowledge and infrastructure.
The subregion has witnessed all types of ATS manufacture, ranging from small-scale kitchen laboratories
to large-scale manufacturing facilities. Illicit laboratories have also engaged in extracting
precursors for ATS from pharmaceutical preparations containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
New techniques for the illicit chemical syntheses of ephedrine are being used to evade
regulatory and law enforcement efforts. Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka appear to be targeted
by transnational organized criminal groups involved in such manufacturing activities.
Global SMART Programme 2010
South Asia is also a transit region for ATS traf cked from neighbouring Southeast Asia. The in ux
of methamphetamine pills from Myanmar into India and Bangladesh is on the rise. In addition,
crystallized methamphetamine (‘ice’) manufactured in the region is also traf cked from South
Asia to Southeast Asia and Oceania.
There are indications that diversion of consignments of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine originating
from South Asia to destination countries occurs. In addition, pharmaceutical preparations
containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are being seized throughout Central America, reportedly
originating in India and Bangladesh. Traf cking of ATS precursors from China into Nepal
has also been reported though their use in the illicit manufacture of ATS remains a matter of
conjecture.
There has been a rise in the trafcking of ketamine from India to destinations in East and Southeast
Asia. Ketamine is used both in its powder and its liquid from or as an ingredient in pills sold
as ‘ecstasy’. Since the substance has not been reported as being abused in India, the Government
of India has brought in controls only on the export of the substance. The rise in seizures
reported after the exercising of export controls is a matter of concern for the Indian authorities.
Bangladesh
While no representative household surveys of drug use in Bangladesh have been undertaken, it
is estimated that the most common ATS used in Bangladesh are methamphetamine pills, locally
known as ‘yaba’. Although it has been suggested that the methamphetamine pills are primarily
smuggled into the country from neighbouring Myanmar, domestic manufacture cannot be ruled
out.
1
The data in this chapter was largely supplied by the UNODC Regional Of ce for South Asia (ROSA) and
is based on information provided by Government authorities, United Nations entities and other international
organizations such as Interpol and the World Customs Organization, as well as regional organizations.
2
One seizure of methamphetamine was reported from Nepal in 2008.
3
Maldives reported one ketamine seizure made at Male International Airport in December 2009 (INCSR,
2010).
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