COGGS Impact Paper: ASEAN in Addressing Drug Trafficking in the Golden Triangle Region
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ASEAN in Addressing Drug Trafficking in the Golden Triangle Region (2)
Introduction
Muhammad Indrawan Jatmika
Asisstant Professor, International Relations Department Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur
Adrian Naufal Rizqullah
Student, International Relations Department Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur
Drug trafficking is a significant threat that has garnered substantial attention in Southeast Asia. Classified as a form of transnational crime, drug trafficking poses a severe threat to international security and stability (Anggraini, 2016). The issue of illicit drug trade has been a long-standing problem in the region, making Southeast Asia one of the areas most affected by this global challenge. Central to this issue is the Golden Triangle, a region recognized as a major hub for drug production and trafficking. The Golden Triangle spans parts of Eastern Myanmar, Northern Thailand, and Western Laos, making it a focal point for the cultivation, production, and distribution of opium on a global scale. During the 1970s and 1980s, this region emerged as the world’s largest opium producer (Anggraini, 2016). The Golden Triangle remains one of the largest narcotics-producing regions globally, contributing approximately 60% of the world’s opium and heroin supply (BNN, 2018). The thriving drug trade in this region is facilitated by international drug cartels and syndicates, which have established extensive networks with groups operating in Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These networks are instrumental in smuggling narcotics into Southeast Asia through the Golden Triangle, further establishing the region not only as a production hub but also as a strategic transit route for drug trafficking (Othman, 2004). The countries within the Golden Triangle—Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos—are often characterized by weak border controls, which exacerbate the problem of transnational crime. This lack of effective oversight has been exploited by non-state actors, who pose significant threats to regional security. These actors utilize the Golden Triangle as a transit point to supply narcotics to other Southeast Asian nations. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Southeast Asia’s narcotics trade is one of the busiest globally, rivaling the Golden Crescent region (comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran) in the Middle East (Yanuarizki, 2016).
In addition to serving as a trafficking route, the Golden Triangle is a leading producer and cultivator of opium (Yanuarizki, 2016). Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos are the primary contributors to drug production in Southeast Asia. In northern and western Laos, local farmers cultivate opium extensively for distribution, predominantly within the region. Due to its strategic location, Thailand often serves as the initial destination for drugs transported from Myanmar and Laos before being distributed to other areas. Beyond opium, the Golden Triangle is also known to produce various narcotics, including methamphetamine, amphetamine, heroin, kratom, and marijuana (Anggraini, 2016). The repercussions of drug trafficking extend beyond the borders of the Golden Triangle, impacting other countries across Southeast Asia. This issue demands the attention of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization that has taken an active role in addressing transnational crime, including drug trafficking (Anggraini, 2016). Many Southeast Asian countries are characterized by weak governmental institutions, which contribute to the prevalence of transnational crimes, including drug trafficking. The rapid evolution and increasing scale of the drug trade necessitate immediate and coordinated responses from ASEAN as a regional organization. ASEAN has actively facilitated collaboration among Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos to address these challenges (Aryani & Leksono, 2017).
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