Is Heroin legal in Myanmar?

Legal status

Heroin prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law 1993 — possession at/above 3 g deemed possession-for-sale (trafficking); production/sale/import/export (Sec 20) 15 years to unlimited OR death; [retained; death available but largely not enforced — mass commutation 2014]

Consequences if caught

Heroin is prohibited in Myanmar under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law 1993 (Law No. 1/93). The 'limitation of weight' deems possession at or above 3 g of heroin (likewise 3 g of morphine or monoacetylmorphine, with combined thresholds) to be possession-for-sale (trafficking). Production, distribution, sale, import or export (Sec 20) draws a minimum of 15 years to unlimited imprisonment OR death; possession or trafficking for sale (Sec 19) draws 10 years to unlimited. [retained; death available for trafficking but largely not enforced — mass commutation 2014] The death penalty is available for trafficking (Sec 20), but it is largely not enforced: President Thein Sein commuted all death sentences to life in January 2014, and drug executions are not a current practice (Myanmar resumed some executions in July 2022, but for political prisoners, NOT drugs).

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

Myanmar (a Golden Triangle state and a top opium and methamphetamine source) controls drugs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law 1993 (SLORC Law No. 1/93, in force 27 January 1993), administered by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control. Production, distribution, sale, import or export (Sec 20) draws a minimum of 15 years to unlimited imprisonment OR death; possession or trafficking for sale (Sec 19) draws 10 years to unlimited; cultivation, processing or transport (Sec 16) draws 5–10 years plus a fine. A 'limitation of weight' deems possession at or above set amounts to be possession-for-sale (trafficking): 3 g of heroin, 3 g of morphine, 3 g of monoacetylmorphine (with combined thresholds). For cannabis, user possession draws 3–5 years plus mandatory treatment; 2–75 g is treated as possession with intent to sell; distribution, sale, import or export draws 15 years to unlimited and is death-eligible; cultivation draws 5–10 years. [retained; death available for trafficking but largely not enforced — mass commutation 2014] The death penalty is available for trafficking (Sec 20), but it is largely not enforced: President Thein Sein commuted all death sentences to life in January 2014, and drug executions are not a current practice (Myanmar resumed some executions in July 2022, but for political prisoners, NOT drugs). Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Myanmar’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.