Stung Treng provincial police and national police yesterday surrounded the home of the man they believe to be the leader of a major drug ring, but failed to find him.

In a joint operation, anti-drug-trafficking forces and Stung Treng police surrounded and searched the home of Dam Nha, the reputed ringleader of the group that police last week confiscated nearly 55 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine from in Phnom Penh, Mao Dara, Stung Treng police chief, said yesterday.

“We were following a court order issued to arrest the suspect, Dam Nha,” Dara said.

“But the suspect has brought his family with him to evade arrest since last week, when we arrested several members of his entourage in Phnom Penh with almost 55 kilograms of drugs.”

Kong Phearak, 45, who lives near the house police searched yesterday, said more than 30 people, including police from multiple departments and court officials showed up at the house at about 9:30am.

One man was taken into custody for questioning, and police seized some property inside the house, including a safe, Phearak said.