Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 December 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 December 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement about the involvement of the Burmese Junta in (a) heroin and (b) methamphetamine production and export, with particular reference to the new factory 15 miles west of Maeken.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the involvement of the Burmese Junta in (a) heroin and (b) methamphetamine production and export, with particular reference to the new factory 15 miles west of Maeken. [140920] Mr. Rammell: There are reports that some production and trafficking of opium from Burma is carried out with the knowledge of the Burmese authorities. The Burmese authorities' overall response to the continued production and export of heroin and methamphetamines has been limited. According to figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Burma is the world's second largest source of heroin and one of the largest sources of methamphetamines. I have no specific information relating to a methamphetamine production facility near Maeken, although I am aware that UNODC reports indicate that such facilities exist in Burma.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 140920; 415 c420-1W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Crime Crops Drugs Production Smuggling Myanmar Foreign trade Heroin Methamphetamine
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk