Drugs continue to pose serious dangers to the well-being of the population and threaten security, public order, and social development, while major drug crimes involving foreign nationals continue to occur despite ongoing suppression efforts.
Major General Lim Tonghuot, director of the Department of Public Information, Education and Public Relations of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), noted that drugs remain a complex problem.
He shared his remarks during a January 6 seminar in Phnom Penh on the impacts of drugs and electronic cigarettes, known as vapes, as well as the NoDrug App, attended by more than 500 students.
“Participation in activities to ensure that our students do not become involved in vices that bring suffering upon themselves, hardship to their families and problems to society is a commendable effort that we must all take part in,” he said.
The programme was organised to support the government’s efforts in combating problems related to drugs, electronic cigarettes, and the use of the NoDrug App. Participating students gained increased awareness of the impacts of drugs and e-cigarettes and of using the NoDrug App, which helps reduce risks caused by drugs.
On behalf of Lt. Gen. Meas Vyrith, NACD secretary-general, Tonghuot urged participants to share their knowledge with families and loved ones about the dangers of drugs and electronic cigarettes, to jointly combat drugs, refrain from using vapes and promote and use the NoDrug App. The public can download the NoDrug App to report drug-related cases in their communities.
The Anti-Drug Department recently cracked down on a drug trafficking ring involving two Vietnamese nationals, seizing more than 50,000 pills in Phnom Penh.
The department reported that from January 2 to 4, its officers, in cooperation with Phnom Penh Municipal Police, investigated and raided two locations in Phnom Penh.
One was on Street 369, in Chbar Ampov II commune, Chbar Ampov district. The other was on the 7th-floor parking area of a condominium on Norodom Boulevard, in Tonle Bassac commune, Chamkarmon district.
Officers arrested two Vietnamese men and seized 51,428 MDMA (ecstasy) pills weighing approximately 18 kilogrammes.
The suspects and evidence were transferred to the Anti-Drug Department for further investigation in accordance with legal procedures.
