PickFlick
The Heroin Wars

The Heroin Wars

1996
Documentary

History of the narcotics trade in Burma and the War on Drugs. In 1964, director Adrian Cowell and cameraman Chris Menges went to mountainous eastern Burma to film the Shan revolutionary forces fighting a bloody civil war against the military dictatorship. The impoverished Shans had only one way to finance the war: opium. Cowell has returned several times over the last 30 years to record the ongoing civil war and the burgeoning opium trade. The first and last episodes are produced in association with WGBH/FRONTLINE.

Open in PickFlick

Production

Carlton UK Productions

Language

EN

Status

Ended

First Aired

July 6, 1996

Last Aired

July 20, 1996

Networks

Channel 4

Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
The Opium Convoys
E1
The Opium Convoys
Air date: 1996-07-06
Lo Hsing-Han, Khun Sa and the beginning of the war on drugs. Trafficking initially funded rebellion against the anti-democratic Burmese Army dictatorship. As guerilla armies fought to control the huge mule convoys transporting opium to the outside world, the U.S. intervened to attack the convoys, then arrested the first "King of Opium" after inviting him to negotiate.
Smack City
E2
Smack City
Air date: 1996-07-13
Hong Kong, the drug capital of southeast Asia for the last century. The success of Hong Kong police in combating opium caused many opium users to switch to cheaper, more easily smuggled heroin in the 1970s.
The Kings of Opium
E3
The Kings of Opium
Air date: 1996-07-20
Khun Sa changes sides in the narcotics carousel. Returning to the Shan war of independence, even with $80 million in U.S. military aid the Burmese Army never halted or captured a single drug convoy. Despite their dramatic arrests and surrenders, the two "Kings of Opium" are now richer and more powerful than ever.

Similar TV Shows

High Profits

High Profits

6.2
2015
TV Show

A young couple with a dream seek to build the world's first legal marijuana empire.

High Profits

2015
6.2
De Jacht op de Mocro-Maffia

De Jacht op de Mocro-Maffia

7.2
2020
TV Show

No overview available.

De Jacht op de Mocro-Maffia

2020
7.2
Dublin Narcos

Dublin Narcos

6.5
2023
TV Show

Over the 1980s and 1990s Dublin transformed from a recession-blighted backwater to one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. As its fortunes changed so did those of its criminals, who began selling heroin, ecstasy and cocaine. Dublin Narcos tells the story of the rise in addiction, violence and organised crime which persists to this day, with first hand testimony from the kingpins and cops to the ravers and users. We also hear from the fearless journalists whose attempts at exposing the drugs barons led to the death of one of their bravest, Veronica Guerin.

Dublin Narcos

2023
6.5
Drugs, Inc.

Drugs, Inc.

8.3
2010
TV Show

Drugs: A multi-billion-dollar industry that fuels crime and violence like no other substance on the planet. Turning cartel leaders into billionaires, the illegal drug industry also provides vital income to hundreds of thousands of poor workers across the globe. While some users sacrifice their lives to an addiction they can't escape, others find drugs to be their only saving grace from physical or emotional pain almost impossible to overcome. Where should the lines be drawn in this lucrative industry?

Drugs, Inc.

2010
8.3
No Image

Slanger I Paradis

2009
TV Show

No overview available.

Slanger I Paradis

2009
Under the Radar

Under the Radar

8.0
2023
TV Show

An exclusive insight into the work and recruitment of the special units of the Belgian Federal Police. Through testimonies and reconstructions, 'Under the Radar' also takes a closer look at a number of striking operations from the past.

Under the Radar

2023
8.0
No Image

Vice Presents: America on Drugs

2019
TV Show

A look at the proliferation of drugs flowing through America's cities and towns and the deadly consequences to society.

Vice Presents: America on Drugs

2019
Laurel Canyon

Laurel Canyon

8.0
2020
TV Show

Featuring all-new, original interviews with Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Michelle Phillips, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Roger McGuinn and more, this uniquely immersive and experiential two-part docuseries takes us back in time to a place where a rustic canyon in the heart of Los Angeles became a musical petri dish.

Laurel Canyon

2020
8.0
La Banda della Magliana - La Vera Storia

La Banda della Magliana - La Vera Storia

2010
TV Show

No overview available.

La Banda della Magliana - La Vera Storia

2010
Anders och knarket

Anders och knarket

8.0
2019
TV Show

No overview available.

Anders och knarket

2019
8.0
To Catch a Smuggler

To Catch a Smuggler

7.7
2015
TV Show

Following the police of Latinoamerica & Europe airports in and their fight against crime.

To Catch a Smuggler

2015
7.7
Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island

Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island

7.5
2024
TV Show

Ibiza is moving upmarket. With access to clubs, villas and yachts as well as police and emergency services, Zara McDermott follows the money to discover what makes the island tick.

Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island

2024
7.5