Twenty-five people were arrested in a large operation involving 120 personnel at a dumpsite in Stung Meanchey commune, in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district on Tuesday, as part of a nationwide crackdown on drugs.
The operation on Tuesday was conducted by Meanchey district authorities and the Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor.
“The suspects were always distributing drugs at the landfill. Therefore, the Meanchey district governor formed a joint committee to conduct the operation.
“Twenty-five people including six women were detained, and over 37g of crystal methamphetamine, 21 packages of unidentified drugs, some drug paraphernalia and two motorbikes were confiscated in the operation,” Meanchey deputy district governor Dy Roth Khemrun said.
He said police officials demolished five huts and burned one hut that was used for drug dealing after the suspects were detained.
Roth Khemrun said police officials are questioning the suspects to identify the drug users from the distributors.
Due to the number of people arrested, he said it was not yet known when investigations will conclude and the suspects taken to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
According to the law, those arrested cannot be detained for more than 48 hours. There were no minors among the 25 detainees.
The large drug operation was ordered by Meanchey district governor Pich Keo Mony and deputy prosecutor Srey Mak Ny, Khemrun added.
A hundred and twenty personnel from the district police, district Military Police and Stung Meanchey II commune police formed a joint team in the operation.
Meas Sovann, the director of the Drug Addict Relief Association of Cambodia, said he fully supported the drug crackdown.
“Both national and sub-national leaders have action plans to combat drug crimes. Police officials must also educate the public on the negative effects of drugs on society and inform them about the avenues for drug treatment and rehabilitation,” Sovann said.
He also requested the police to put in more effort to combat the import and export of drugs as part of efforts to lower the numbers of drug users.
