Through the end of November this year, the police have seized nearly two tonnes of illegal drugs and detained over 10,000 people – including more than 300 foreigners – for drug-related offences, according to an anti-drug department official.
In Song, deputy director of the National Police's anti-drug department, told The Post on December 1 that based on a report detailing law enforcement activities from January 1 to November 30, officers have opened 5,560 case files for drug crimes and detained 12,193 people including 310 foreigners from 13 countries.
He said that over the course of the year, officers confiscated all kinds of drugs with a total weight of 1.74 tonnes. They also seized 50,088 marijuana plants and more than a tonne of chemicals used in drug manufacturing.
The police also confiscated 12 real estate properties spread out across Takeo, Banteay Meanchey, Koh Kong, Battambang, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. In addition to that, nine bank accounts holding $16,047.17 in cash were frozen.
National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) secretary-general Meas Vyrith said the number of arrests was down while drug seizures went up.
“We are focused mainly on organised groups. Neighbouring countries have been affected as well and they have been more seriously affected than we have,” he said.
