The Preah Sihanouk provincial police sent nine Chinese nationals to the provincial court on Monday for alleged involvement in illicit drug distribution at the Obama nightclub in Sihanoukville.
Police officials in Preah Sihanouk province raided the Obama nightclub on July 25 and arrested more than 100 Chinese and Cambodian club-goers suspected of drug use, possession, distributing, trafficking and provide a place for drug use.
Accompanied by provincial court prosecutor Sieng Sok and provincial police chief Major General Chuon Narin, Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun ordered police officers to raid the Obama club in Sihanoukville’s Buon commune.
“We detained more than 146 Chinese nationals and Cambodians for questioning,” Narin said. After questioning, those arrested were found to have included the club’s manager and eight others closely involved in alleged drug trafficking, he said.
“We sent those nine Chinese nationals to the provincial court on Monday afternoon,” he said.
He noted that among the 146 people arrested were about eight Cambodians, but they were not involved in any crime.
Among the other Chinese nationals arrested, 67 Chinese nationals tested positive for illegal drugs and were sent to the immigration office to be deported.
“We will continue to implement our Cambodian law and we will clean up what’s wrong with the law based on the orders of the Interior Ministry and the National Police Commissariat,” he added.
Brigadier General Suos Seila, the deputy provincial police chief in charge of anti-drug crime, said officers had raided the club around 3 a.m. on Thursday.
He confirmed that only the nine were sent to court, but declined to give more detail.
Kheang Phearum, spokesman of Preah Sihanouk province, said he was unsure how many Chinese nationals were still being held for questioning at police headquarters.
“Our authorities do not tolerate any clubs, KTVs, and other entertainment venues. If they are found to have been involved with drugs, we will crack down on them right away,” Phearum said.
