The National Military Police have arrested two military police officers for accepting bribes to not crack down on seven kilograms of drugs and illegal gambling, as well as leaking information during an investigation. They have been sent to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) for further action. Another military police officer has been sent to the Takeo Provincial Military Police Headquarters for disciplinary action.
On January 1, 2025, the deputy commander of Takeo Provincial Military Police and two other military police officers were taken in for questioning. They were sent to the Kandal Provincial Military Police Headquarters for further questioning in connection with a drug case before being sent to ACU.
According to Eng Hy, the National Military Police spokesperson, posted on his Facebook on January 6, 2025 confirmed that the judicial police officers have concluded their investigation into the three officers. They found that the deputy commander and assistant to the provincial drug bureau were involved in bribery and had compromised the confidentiality of the investigation.
Eng Hy added in his post that military police officers must be educated and consistently live up to the principles to set an example as law enforcement officers. If anyone does not respect it, they must be held accountable for their actions, he said.
In fact, the Military Police conducted an investigation and found four individuals involved in murder and drug crimes in November 2024, and after hearing the suspects’ answers, they also arrested two officers of the Takeo Provincial Military Police for bribery and compromising the confidentiality of the investigation.
“This is why the Royal Military Police follows the slogan – if you do not respect the law and commit crimes, you must be suppressed and the law must follow. There is no more excuse,” Eng Hy said in his post.
Soy Chanvichet, spokesperson of ACU, said the case is currently being investigated by them.
According to Freshnews, the interrogation was carried out on the orders of General Sao Sokha, Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Military Police.
The portal also identified Nget Chanthy, Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Military Police of Takeo Province, Luy Sarum, Chief of Staff of the Royal Cambodian Military Police of Tram Kak District, and Sin Sovannarith, Assistant to the Provincial Drug Department, as the three officers who were being investigated.
In 2023, a deputy commander of the Kampong Speu Provincial Military Police and five other military police officers underwent a similar questioning at the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court for allegedly receiving proceeds from drug crimes.
Meas Vyrith, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Drug Authority under the Ministry of Interior, did not respond to CamboJA News, saying that he was busy reviewing documents and could not comment as he was afraid of losing focus.
The seventh mandate of the National Assembly launched the Pentagon Strategy – Phase 1, setting out the overall core and strategy to strengthen peace, stability, security and public order, with the fight against drugs a top priority.
On February 20, 2024, Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered drug tests of civil servants and called for the implementation of strict measures to combat drugs in ministries, institutions, and sub-national administrations. Civil servants and armed forces, both at the national and sub-national level, who are guilty of drug use, will be dismissed from their posts.
“I will not let Cambodia become a country where drugs are rampant throughout the country,” Hun Manet said.
Meas Nee, a social development researcher, said every country generally has law enforcement officers who are involved in drugs. However, the most important factor is the measures taken and the enforcement of the law in each country.
“If they are found guilty [of drug abuse], they need to accept punishment like everyone else. However, if a law enforcement officer is involved, the value of a civil servant is undermined,” he said.
He also emphasized that “cleaning” from top to bottom is very important. “A drug crackdown depends on officers enforcing the law, but if they are involved in the case, no one can help anyone,” he said.
He also wants law practitioners to enforce the law equally, and not practice double standards.
Political science lecturer and analyst Em Sovannara said legal action on drugs is a positive step. Previously, Cambodia was known as a country with significant drug trade, which posed a problem for the government and world.
The key factor for government authorities dealing with drug-related issues is to be driven and have a clear goal to address the matter. “This issue has not only existed today but has been ongoing for a long time, so it is necessary for the authorities to work closely,” he added.
The government plans to spend approximately $9 million to strengthen the implementation of the “Safe in villages, commune, and district” policy, which focuses on reducing and eliminating drug trafficking and drug use in the community.
It also spends approximately $2.5 million on strengthening and improving the quality and efficiency of the justice system.