LYON, France – An international operation coordinated by INTERPOL against drug trafficking in Southeast Asia led to record seizures of synthetic drugs valued at some USD 1.05 billion.
With the value of drugs seized stemming from just 58 seizures, the operation highlighted the considerable profits crime networks make from the synthetic drug market and the threat posed to all regions by transnational organized crime groups.
The operation (22 July - 7 August) involving Australia, Cambodia, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam, also revealed information about the evolution of trafficking routes and threats.
A seizure of nearly 900 kg of crystal methamphetamine in Sydney was traced back to the United States.
This aligns with intelligence suggesting that the source of Australia’s methamphetamine is shifting from Southeast Asia to North America, driven by closer ties between Australian transnational organized crime groups and Mexican cartels, indicating changes in global drug trafficking routes.
The seizure of 1.5 tonnes of ketamine in Southeast Asia further points to the region as a major source of this drug for global markets, with the rapid growth of the ketamine market reflected in the high volumes seized.
Another emerging threat identified involves ‘Happy Water’, a synthetic drug popular in Southeast Asia’s nightlife, which contains methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, benzodiazepines, and caffeine. Happy Water is marketed in commercial-style packaging, misleading consumers about its highly dangerous content.
INTERPOL’s Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:
“Drug trafficking remains the cornerstone of transnational organized crime. It is also fuelling increased violence in the streets, undermining businesses, communities and even countries.
“This is why these operations are important, a collaborative effort to tackling this global scourge.”
Seizures reveal smuggling methods
The operation – named Operation Lionfish Mayag II – led to 29 arrests and revealed some of the methods traffickers use to smuggle synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals:
- Authorities in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam seized more than 139 million Yaba pills concealed in large trucks including in toolboxes attached to the sides of the vehicles. Yaba is an addictive stimulant that includes methamphetamine and caffeine.
- In Myanmar, 13.5 tonnes of sodium cyanide, a precursor for methamphetamine and ecstasy, were found buried in 55 kg barrels. Some 2.3 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine were also seized from a ship off Pyarpon Township. Packaged to look like commercial coffee from Côte d'Ivoire, the drug was bound for Malaysia.
- In Korea, 16 kg of methamphetamine were found concealed in a commercial food mixer shipped from Thailand.
- In Australia, methamphetamine was hidden inside paint sprayer guns in parcels posted from the United States.
- Cambodian authorities intercepted 200 kg of ketamine disguised as commercial tea, smuggled across the border by two Chinese nationals.
INTERPOL’s role against drug trafficking
Collaboration via INTERPOL facilitated real-time intelligence exchange, boosting the operation's effectiveness.
Notably, INTERPOL analyzed 291 kilograms of cocaine that had washed ashore in Vietnam, uploading the markings to its RELIEF database to help track future shipments.
RELIEF provides advanced tool-mark examination of seized drug packages, detailed analysis including chemical composition, and automated comparisons of logos and marks from pressing plates and cartridges.
A dedicated secure drugs analysis platform also enables INTERPOL’s criminal intelligence analysts to systematically capture, control, analyze, and disseminate drug trafficking information.
INTERPOL’s response against illicit drugs through its I-RAID programme further combats drug trafficking through operations and analysis, capacity building and training, partnerships, and outreach, and by targeting crime proceeds.
Since 2013, Lionfish operations have netted seizures worth USD 4.65 billion and 5,646 arrests in 108 countries.
Operation Lionfish Mayag II was funded by the Korean National Police Agency.
