Crime in Myanmar

Crime is present in various forms in Myanmar (also known as Burma) and is continuous with the activities of many drug trafficking financed militias at the eastern and western border regions, and with corruption within and challenges to the central government.

The opium industry was a monopoly during colonial times and has since been illegally operated by corrupt officials in the Burmese military and rebel fighters,[11] primarily as the basis for heroin manufacture.

[12] Burmese-produced ya ba is typically trafficked to Thailand via Laos, before being transported through the northeastern Thai region of Isan.

[12] The prominence of major drug traffickers have allowed them to penetrate other sectors of the Burmese economy, including the banking, airline, hotel and infrastructure industries.

[21] Burma is also a source country of sex workers and forced laborers in China, Bangladesh, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Korea, Macau, and Japan.

[23] In addition to crimes associated with prostitution, the trafficking of women, largely to China, for forced marriage remains a problem in Burma.

[24] Lack of local brides due to China's long standing One Child Policy is believed to fuel this trade.