The Opium Trail
odd: label: Local Numbers
content: HSFA 1981.5.7
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Human Studies Film Center collection
physdesc: label: Extent
content: Film reels (60 minutes, black-and-white sound; 2,160 feet, 16mm)
unitdate: label: Date
content: circa 1960
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Human Studies Film Archives
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Film reels
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: An edited film dealing with the varied aspects of the opium trade in golden triange region of Burma, Laos, and the Yunan Province of China. Scenes include: the growing cycle of the poppy and extraction of sap from the mature pods, illustration of the role of opium growing and trade in the local economy of the Shan peoples of highland Burma, the preparation of the drug for sale to smugglers, the organization of the smuggling caravans, the techniques by which smugglers circumvent detection and arrest, the processing of opium into heroin, the sale of heroin on the streets of Hong Kong, and enforcement efforts. ; Edited film produced by ATV Pathfinder Productions documenting aspects of the opium trade in the golden triangle region of Burma, Laos, and the Yunan Province of China. Film includes the growing cycle of the poppy, the role of opium trade in the local economy of the Shan people of highland Burma, preparation of the drug for smuggling, and processing of opium into heroin for sale on the streets of Hong Kong.

Legacy keywords: Special crops poppy ; Smuggling ethnic specialization penalties ; Narcotics opium heroin addiction ; Adornment wealth ethnic groups opium trade ; Religion Buddhism narcotics ; Secret societies Chinese Triads Tongs ; Smoking pipes opium ; Political movements smuggling Koumingtang ; Army smuggling ; Police illegal drugs enforcement ; Chieng, Thailand ; Crime organized ; Corruption bribery police

Credits: Cowell, Adrian director