PHNOM PENH (XINHUA) – Cambodia has seen a spike in both drug arrests and seizures during the first half (H1) of 2022, said an Anti-Drug Police Department (ADP) report yesterday.
The authorities had nabbed 7,654 drug-related suspects during the January-June period this year, up 5.4 per cent from 7,259 over the same period last year, the report said, adding that some 3.12 tonnes of illicit drugs had been seized, up 3.7 times from 850kg.
The seized drugs this year included heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, cathinone and ketamine, among others.
According to the report, some 185 tons of drug ingredients, 16 pistols, 23 rifles, 67 cars, 686 motorbikes, 2,653 telephones, 189 scales, and some money had also been confiscated from the suspects during the H1 of this year.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has called for concerted efforts to combat illegal drugs, saying that fighting against illicit drugs was a priority.
“I’d like to appeal to all people, especially parents and legal guardians, to continue your support and participation in the battle against illicit drugs and to educate your children to stay away from drugs and other negative activities in society for their own future,” he said in a message to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.
Hun Sen also advised ministries, institutions, religious communities and the private sector to continue to educate people on the effects of illicit drugs. The Southeast Asian nation has no death sentence for drug traffickers.
Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grammes of illicit drugs could be jailed for life.
