The UN office on drugs and crime said in a report the growth underscores Myanmar’s position as the world’s main known source of illicit opium The UN office on drugs and crime said in a report the growth underscores Myanmar’s position as the world’s main known source of illicit opium Opium poppy cultivation in war-torn Myanmar has surged to its highest level in a decade, according to the UN, rising 17% in the past year as conflict and economic hardship push more farmers into the illicit trade.