04 Sep 2018 | 12:22 PM UTC
Cambodia: Over 10,000 arrested nationwide in 2018 anti-narcotics campaign
Since the start of an anti-drug operation on January 1, 2018, more than 10,000 people have been arrested
Event
According to a statement by the interior ministry's anti-drug department on September 4, the authorities have arrested 10,200 suspects on drugs charges in in connection with some 5,000 cases in the first eight months of 2018. Around 6,000 of these suspects were allegedly involved in drug smuggling. Over 200 of these are foreign nationals from 15 different countries. Half a ton of narcotics in the possession of the suspects were seized.
Context
In 2017, Cambodian police force arrested 18,000 suspects and seized 300 kilogrammes of illicit drugs.
Advice
Penalties for drug offences in Cambodia are severe and can include long jail sentences for possession of even small quantities of recreational drugs.
