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ANNEX 2
CHINESE NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING: ANATOMY OF A NETWORK
Introduction
The predominant role of the ethnic Chinese in narcotics trafficking in Southeast Asia is a traditional one, widely acknowledged and accepted by the indigenous population. The ethnic Chinese trafficker services a broad-based demand for narcotics, primarily for smoking opium which is. consumed by the ton throughout Southeast Asia. He supplies this demand from the poppy grown in the tri-border areas of Burma, Laos and Thailand. Morphine base and #4 heroin are also furnished in considerable quantity. The ethnic Chinese
trafficker has also sought to export his product to even more lucrative markets, including the United States, with mixed results.
This paper provides an account of the various components that constitute ethnic Chinese trafficking networks, primarily within tri-border countries, as related to the collection, production and trans- shipment of opium and its derivatives to market.
This report was prepared by the BNDD Intelligence Unit from BNDD Reports of Investigation and from debriefing reports of BNDD Sources of Information through January 1973.
Notation
Material in this publication is not to be reproduced or reprinted, either in part or in whole, unless authorized by BNDD Regional Director, US Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand.
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