Narcotopia

In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That Survived the CIA

By: Patrick Winn

Narrated by: Patrick Winn

The gripping true story of an indigenous people running the world’s mightiest narco-state—and America’s struggle to thwart them.

In Asia’s narcotics-producing heartland, the Wa reign supreme. They dominate the Golden Triangle, a mountainous stretch of Burma between Thailand and China. Their 30,000-strong army, wielding missiles and attack drones, makes Mexican cartels look like street gangs.

Wa moguls are unrivaled in the region’s $60 billion meth trade and infamous for mass-producing pink, vanilla-scented speed pills. Drugs finance Wa State, a bona fide nation with its own laws, anthems, schools, and electricity grid. Though revered by their people, Wa leaders are scorned by US policymakers as vicious “kingpins” who “poison our society for profit.”

In Narcotopia, award-winning journalist Patrick Winn uncovers the truth behind Asia’s top drug-trafficking organization, as told by a Wa commander turned DEA informant. This gripping narrative shreds drug war myths and leads to a chilling revelation: the Wa syndicate’s origins are smudged with CIA fingerprints.

This is a saga of native people tapping the power of narcotics to create a nation where there was none before — and covert US intelligence operations gone wrong.

Critic reviews

"Those who fail to read this forsake their chance to know the truth."
—Roberto Saviano, author of Gomorrah

"An outstanding book, packed with history, humor, and adventure. Patrick Winn is the perfect guide to these highland outlaws and their incredible, defiant narco-state. This is the best reportage to come out of Southeast Asia in years."
—Graeme Wood, author of The Way of the Strangers: Encounters with the Islamic State

"A riveting portrait of a little-known and often vilified people, a harrowing tale of Asia's epic, multi-billion dollar, drugs trade, and a unique perspective on our world today."
—Thant Myint-U, author of The Hidden History of Burma

“Patrick has made a riveting read out of the largely overlooked - but critically important - Wa State... The history behind it, the masterminds pulling the strings, and the many CIA operations against them. It’s a fascinating and incredibly well-researched dive into Asia’s underworld and some of the greatest narcotics traffickers in the region. And above all, it’s beautifully crafted storytelling.”
—Isobel Yeung, VICE

"Unputdownable... an authentic page-turner, revealing why the global drug problem remains unsolved."—Khuensai Jaiyen, ex-secretary to the drug lord Khun Sa

A must listen for Asia history buffs

Wonderful.
I reside in Bangkok and was fascinated learning the history of Burma, Thailand, China, Taiwan, and the U.S. And how the opium trade was critical to the story.
Thanks to the author Patrick Winn.
It is a must listen.

Absolutely Incredible

Incredible story telling for a subject so unknown but so relevant to so many of us. Absolutely great story telling and way deeper and more impactful than I would ever have expected just based on the title and cover.

A fantastic read on a topic I knew little about

Engrossing, educating, and at times heart-breaking narrative of the heroin trade in Southeast Asia and the proud people caught in the middle of it.

Too many false statements

This guy is a clown and with a horrible voice for narration . Selective facts and twisted facts not the real story ! Also Bill Young (RIP)committed suicide not because of the treatment of and his sorrow for what happened but because of all his debilitating illness he was suffering from . The author is not worthy to even mention The name of Bill Young !

good book

really good in depth book of the wa staye nestled in burma it is hard to tell the accuracy of the book but it is an amazing story none the less.