Myanmar navy seizes more than 2 million Ecstasy tablets on trawler near Thai border

YANGON, Myanmar—Myanmar’s navy seized more than 2 million Ecstasy pills on a trawler off the southern coast in what an official said Monday was the biggest haul of the stimulant tablets in the country’s history.

A recent U.N. report said Myanmar, which only recently opened up following a half-century of military rule, has become one of Southeast Asia’s biggest sources of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine pills and “crystal” ice.

The report said many of the drugs end up in neighbouring states.

Narcotic police official Myint Aung said the navy patrol boat seized the drugs last week on a trawler about 180 miles northwest of Kawthaung, near the Thai border.

Aung said the team also seized 70 tons of illegal timber from the same vessel.

Fifteen suspects on the board were arrested and face questioning under narcotic and psychotropic drug laws.