Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun said that anyone in the province in possession of any illegal weapons should immediately hand them over to the authorities or they will be punished to the full extent of the law once caught.

He also said that any foreigners found in possession of guns will serve time in prison for it and after their prison term they will be deported from Cambodia.

Chamroeun made the remarks during a meeting on December 18 with the provincial police where he also passed on petrol and financial support to their departments from Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He told the provincial police and military police to patrol at night and search out those who are using illegal weapons.

According to Chamroeun, the provincial police have recently been confiscating more weapons from foreigners in the province.

“Of course, drugs and human trafficking do not require patrols because there are better methods for discovering those crimes.

“But in terms of weapons, we have to actively patrol and if anyone looks suspicious you can stop them to question and search them, which can be very effective,” he said.

Provincial police chief Chuon Narin echoed the governor’s calls for those who use illegal weapons to hand them over to authorities. He said the provincial police have carried out curbside searches of individuals and vehicles on the streets in certain target areas known for criminal activity.

“Recently, joint forces in the province began an operation checking for weapons and we’ve found some illegal possession of weapons. Therefore, the provincial governor appealed to those who have illegal or hidden weapons to hand over them to provincial authorities.

“If they are afraid to bring them to the police then just leave them at some location and call that information in,” he said, adding that the police won’t arrest those who are proactive about surrendering their guns as a gesture of goodwill as long as they aren’t linked to any other known criminal activity.