Asian drug lords likely producing precursor chemicals in Golden Triangle

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Crime syndicates in Asia’s drug-producing Golden Triangle region have likely begun producing ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine, enabling them to avoid restrictions on importing precursors such as pseudoephedrine and ephedrine.

The development shows a new level of sophistication by drug syndicates as "pre-precursors" such as propionyl chloride are far less tightly regulated and easier to obtain.