Almost 1,500 cannabis plants and over six kilogrammes of narcotics were destroyed in a ceremony held on Tuesday, August 26, in the compound of the Kratie Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts. The event was held to mark June 26, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the destroyed narcotics included: more than 2,481 grammes of unidentified drugs, 3,910 grammes of dried cannabis, 133 grammes of cannabis seeds and 1,400 fresh cannabis plants.
During the event, Kratie Provincial Police Chief Ou Sobona reiterated that the Provincial Anti-Drug Commission, law enforcement officers and relevant institutions remain highly committed to investigating and cracking down on all types of drug-related crimes.
He revealed that in the first six months of 2025 alone, authorities cracked down on 92 drug-related cases, arresting 156 suspects (including 7 women). Seized items included 600 packets of methamphetamine (Ice) weighing over 1,783 grammes, an unidentified substance weighing 1.87 grammes, 18 digital scales, 58 motorbikes, 128 mobile phones and various other drug-related paraphernalia.
The ceremony, themed “Together to Prevent, Suppress and Eliminate the Root Causes of Drug Problems in Cambodia”, was presided over by Va Thorn, provincial governor and chairman of the Provincial Anti-Drug Commission.
The governor addressed ongoing drug-related challenges in the province, stressing the need for stronger efforts from all stakeholders.
He praised law enforcement’s continued investigations and suppression of drug trafficking and abuse, which have been increasing year on year, while also acknowledging efforts in public awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of drugs. However, he conceded that the campaigns have not yet proven sufficiently effective.
“Even after serving their prison sentences, many convicted offenders return to drug trafficking. Small-scale drug dealing at the community level has not declined, and drug abuse continues to penetrate youth groups and spread into remote rural areas,” he said.
In a related criminal case, on August 25 Kampong Speu provincial police arrested a 29-year-old, as part of an ongoing operation. During the bust, police seized 75 packets of drugs in Samrong Tong district. The suspect was sent to court, while authorities continue to pursue other individuals connected to the case.
