YANGON, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have burned over 253.2 billion kyats (186.2 million U.S. dollars) worth seized narcotic drugs in three cities of Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, according to the police force Wednesday.
Of them, that destroyed in Yangon on Tuesday were valued at about 89 billion kyats (66.4 million U.S. dollars) which were confiscated from Yangon, Tanintharyi, Bago, Ayeyawaddy, Rakine, Mon and Kayin regions and states in connection with 1,311 drug cases, Yangon Region Police Chief Win Naing said.
The 25 kinds of seized drugs including heroin, stimulant tablets and other chemicals are also seized by the border guard force and highway security force.
According to the sources, in 2017, the authorities handled 9,554 drug cases, apprehended 14,000 offenders and seized 1,256 kilos of opium, 570 kilos of heroin, 72.8 million psychotropic tablets, 198.8 kilos of cocaine, 140.35 kilos of methamphetamine and 1,107 kilos of ICE.
During the period from October 2016 to April 2017, the authorities also destroyed a total of 3,535.74 hectares of opium poppy plantations in Shan, Kachin, Kayah, Chin and Magway states and region.