International crackdown yields $1.05 billion worth of synthetic drugs

LYON, France – An international operation coordinated by INTERPOL against drug trafficking in Southeast Asia has resulted in record seizures of synthetic drugs worth approximately $1.05 billion.

The value of the seized drugs comes from just 58 seizures. The operation underlines the significant profits that criminal networks make from the synthetic drug market and the threat that transnational organised crime groups pose to all regions.

The operation (22 July – 7 August), involving Australia, Cambodia, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam, also provided information on the evolution of smuggling routes and threats.

A seizure of almost 900kg of crystal methamphetamine in Sydney was traced to the United States.

This is consistent with intelligence suggesting that the source of Australian methamphetamine is shifting from Southeast Asia to North America, driven by closer links between Australian transnational organised crime groups and Mexican cartels, suggesting changes in global drug trafficking routes.

The seizure of 1.5 tons of ketamine in Southeast Asia is further evidence that the region is a major supplier of this drug to the global market. The rapid growth of the ketamine market is reflected in the large quantities seized.

Another emerging threat that has been identified is ‘Happy Water’, a synthetic drug popular in Southeast Asian nightlife that contains methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, benzodiazepines and caffeine. Happy Water is marketed in commercial packaging, misleading consumers about its highly dangerous contents.

Jürgen Stock, Secretary General of INTERPOL, said:

“Drug trafficking remains the cornerstone of transnational organised crime, fuelling increased violence on the streets, undermining businesses, communities and even countries.

“That is why these operations are important: a collective effort to tackle this global plague.”

The operation led to 29 arrests, including in Cambodia, for trafficking Happy Water, a highly potent synthetic drug popular in Southeast Asia’s nightlife.

Happy Water is marketed in commercial packaging, misleading consumers about its highly dangerous contents.

During Operation Lionfish Mayag II, synthetic drugs worth approximately $1.05 billion were seized.

In Myanmar, 13.5 tonnes of sodium cyanide, a precursor to methamphetamine and ecstasy, were found in 55kg drums.

Authorities in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have seized more than 139 million Yaba pills hidden in large trucks, including toolboxes attached to the sides of the vehicles.

Seizures reveal smuggling methods

The operation – dubbed Operation Lionfish Mayag II – resulted in 29 arrests and revealed some of the methods smugglers use to smuggle synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals:

– Authorities in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have seized more than 139 million Yaba pills hidden in large trucks, including toolboxes attached to the sides of the vehicles. Yaba is an addictive stimulant that contains methamphetamine and caffeine.

– In Myanmar, 13.5 tonnes of sodium cyanide, a precursor to methamphetamine and ecstasy, were found buried in 55kg drums. About 2.3 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine were also seized from a vessel off the coast of Pyarpon Township. The drug was packaged to look like commercial coffee from Ivory Coast and was destined for Malaysia.

– In Korea, 16 kg of methamphetamine was found in a commercial food processor shipped from Thailand.

– In Australia, methamphetamine was found hidden in paint sprayers in packages shipped from the United States.

– Cambodian authorities have seized 200 kg of ketamine disguised as commercial tea, smuggled across the border by two Chinese nationals.

INTERPOL’s role in the fight against drug trafficking

Cooperation through INTERPOL enabled real-time exchange of intelligence, increasing the effectiveness of the operation.

INTERPOL analyzed, among other things, 291 kilograms of cocaine that washed up in Vietnam and uploaded the markings to the RELIEF database to help trace future shipments.

RELIEF offers advanced tool mark examination on seized drug packaging, detailed analysis including chemical composition and automated comparisons of logos and traces of press plates and patterns.

In addition, a specially secured drug analysis platform enables INTERPOL’s criminal intelligence analysts to systematically collect, verify, analyse and disseminate information on drug trafficking.

INTERPOL fights illicit drugs through the I-RAID programme. It combats drug trafficking through operations and analysis, capacity building and training, partnerships and education, and by targeting the proceeds of crime.

Since 2013, Lionfish operations have seized $4.65 billion worth of assets and resulted in 5,646 arrests in 108 countries.

Operation Lionfish Mayag II was funded by the Korean National Police.