Background
On January 20, 2026, the National Police of Cambodia launched a multi-agency operation to suppress drug-related criminal activities across the country. The operation targeted trafficking, transportation, possession, and consumption of illicit substances.
Scope of Application
The crackdown involved 23 drug-related cases nationwide, leading to the detention of 60 individuals, including 7 women. The suspects were involved in various offenses categorized as drug trafficking, transportation or storage, and drug use.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The breakdown of offenses and arrests is as follows:
- Trafficking: 8 cases with 18 suspects arrested (3 women included)
- Transportation and storage: 6 cases with 11 suspects arrested (no women)
- Drug use: 9 cases with 31 suspects arrested (4 women included)
Seized substances included:
- Methamphetamine (Ice): 201.89 grams
- Ketamine: 276.53 grams
- MDMA (Ecstasy): 290.73 grams
Participation spanned 10 police agencies and 3 provincial military police units, distributed as follows:
Police Agencies (7 units)
- Municipality police: 6 trafficking cases, 12 arrests (2 women), 69.19g Ice seized
- Kampong Thom: 6 use cases, 19 arrests (2 women), 0.13g Ice seized
- Kratie: 1 storage case (1 arrest), 1 use case (2 arrests), 0.73g Ice seized
- Prey Veng: 1 storage case, 2 arrests, 4.66g Ice seized
- Siem Reap: 1 use case, 9 arrests (2 women)
- Svey Rieng: 1 trafficking case, 2 arrests, 84.82g Ice, 276.53g Ketamine, 290.73g MDMA seized
- Takeo: 2 storage cases, 4 arrests, 4.45g Ice seized
Provincial Military Police (3 units)
- Banteay Meanchey: 1 use case, 1 arrest
- Kampong Speu: 1 trafficking case, 4 arrests (1 woman), 37.91g Ice seized
- Kandal: 2 storage cases, 4 arrests
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
This operation underscores the Cambodian government’s active enforcement against narcotics crimes, which impacts the general security and regulatory environment. Businesses and investors should remain aware of national security measures influencing public order and compliance obligations, especially concerning drug-related crime prevention.
Official Source
National Police of Cambodia Facebook Post
