Myanmar reports increased heroin seizures

Authorities in Myanmar, the world's second biggest producer of heroin, seized nearly 330 pounds (150 kilograms) of heroin last month.

The state-run Myanma Ahlin daily reported Friday that police, military and customs officials seized 327 pounds (148.55 kilograms) of heroin, nearly 99 pounds (45 kilograms) of opium and 55,582 stimulant tablets in January. Only 5.1 pounds of heroin (2.3 kilograms) had been seized in December.

The newspaper did not provide details, but an official monitoring the fight against drugs said a huge amount of heroin bound for foreign markets seized on a ship in Yangon and another cache hidden in a shipment of crabs accounted for most of January's total. The official spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to release information.