Myanmar seizes nearly 3 million stimulant tablets

Myanmar authorities have seized nearly 3 million stimulant tablets and over 100 blocks of heroin during a raid in two villages near the Thai border, a state-run newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Myanmar authorities have seized nearly 3 million stimulant tablets and over 100 blocks of heroin during a raid in two villages near the Thai border, a state-run newspaper reported on Wednesday.

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The narcotics were seized on Tuesday together with small arms and ammunition when the special anti-drug squad raided houses in Wanli and Wanlone villages in Tachilek township bordering Thailand, the New Light of Myanmar reported.

According to earlier reports, the authorities last month in the same area seized 762 kilograms of heroin.

Myanmar is the world's second biggest source of opium after Afghanistan, accounting for 14 percent of the world's cultivation in 2008, according to UN figures. The country produced an estimated 410 tons of opium last year.

Meanwhile, the New Light of Myanmar, in a separate report, said the authorities have destroyed 10,000 acres of opium poppy plantations so far this year.