In the first six months of 2024, authorities from national and sub-national levels cracked down on 4,718 drug cases, arresting 11,780 suspects, including 945 women. Some five tons of drugs and 225 kilograms of ingredients were also confiscated, said National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) secretary-general Meas Vyrith in an interview with CamboJA News.
In comparison to 2023, the figure remained high, as it represented more than half the total last year. Civil society viewed the drug problem as being a major issue.
According to NACD’s report in 2023, the authorities cracked down a total of 8,063 drug crimes and arrested 20,002 suspects. Nearly three tons of drugs were seized, where over 347 tons and 1,207 drug-related substances were burned.
NACD‘s strategy to combat drugs include reducing drug demand and supply, strengthening treatment, rehabilitation, integration, and enforcement, as well as expanding international operational cooperation, and enhancing multi-sectoral mechanisms at the sub-national level.
Between 2017 and 2023, 55,305 drug operations were conducted where 120,307 people were arrested and 27,641 kilograms of drugs seized. Enforcement officers also confiscated 52,005 kilograms of chemicals as well as equipment and materials.
During this period, the police investigated and busted 435 organizations, 164 ringleaders and 811 network members, and prepared cases to be sent to court for legal action.
‘Tipoff by electrical cable thieves’
On July 21, police arrested the chief of Stung Treng Provincial Anti-Drug Bureau for drug trafficking, distribution and use of illegal weapons. Two accomplices were also taken in for conspiracy.
Stung Treng Provincial Court spokesperson Chhum Seang Hak said during the arrest, police seized bills worth $40,000 and $178,100 in fake currency.
The individuals, Stung Treng anti drug bureau chief Chem Phanith, his deputy Khim Leang Khan and Chan Ratha have been sent to the Stung Treng provincial prison temporarily while awaiting legal action.
Stung Treng Provincial Police chief Auth Sivutha told CamboJA News that the arrest took place following a “tipoff by thieves who stole electrical cables”.
“This operation is based on the confession of a few thieves, who are drug users […] there is no evidence that he [Phanith] was involved in [drug] trading,” Sivutha said.
As for the fake notes, Sivutha said they were allegedly used by Phanith “solely for operational purposes”, “not for fraudulent spending” as he was the director of the bureau.
On July 17, Stung Treng provincial authorities nabbed six thieves who allegedly stole electrical cables and confessed that they were “connected” to Chem Phanith and his accomplices.
Executive director at The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability-Cambodia San Chey said drug crackdowns seemed less effective. The cases remain high because “those in charge sometimes seize the drugs and trade with the perpetrators”.
“Non-partisan repression measures, especially discrimination, should be checked among the ranks of those who suppress drugs […] We need to conduct an in-depth investigation.”
“If any group is found to support drug traffickers, they must be brought to justice,” he said, adding that the law must be applied without exception to all individuals.
In addition, investigations should be conducted regularly on entertainment outlets which are prone to crime. “There must be regular investigations of bars and clubs [patronized] by youths as these places are targets for drug use,” Chey said.
“If an addict commits a crime, they end up committing acts of deceit. Some addicts get angry with their parents when they don’t get money, and burn down their house. It’s a social disease which is difficult to treat and has serious consequences,” he said, noting that drugs were the source of many crimes.
Regular urine tests crucial
The Anti-Drug Department mounted a crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking on July 21, arresting two Chinese men, Tao Wei, 41, and He Xiongfeng, 42, and seizing more than 200 kilograms of drugs.
The operation was a collaboration with the Kandal and Phnom Penh Provincial Police. It began with an investigation in Kandal province, which led to the arrest of a suspect in Daun Penh district.
Special forces detained another suspect in Chamkarmon district, seizing more than 200 kilograms of drugs, two cars and two mobile phones, according to the General Commissariat of National Police’s Facebook page.
Anti-Drug Department spokesperson In Song told CamboJA News that the authorities implemented several measures to combat drugs, including cooperation with countries in the region, particularly border countries to prevent transnational crime.
“From January to July this year, 77 major [drug] cases were busted,” he said, adding that a total of 5,220 cases were recorded and 12,605 people arrested in that time.
Cambodian Institute for Democracy president Pa Chanroeun said despite crackdowns, drug trafficking and drug use in Cambodia have not decreased. The authorities need to increase raids and prevent drug trafficking.
He said the drug problem was a long-standing problem, occurring cross-border and due to several factors. However, using the experience of other countries, authorities must ensure that enforcement officers are “clean” to effectively prevent drugs.
“Regular [urine] tests on civil servants and armed forces involved in drug prevention and suppression are necessary to ensure the cleanliness of law enforcement officers,” he said.
Ministry of Interior spokesperson Touch Sokhak could not be reached for comment.
