Background
Criminal enforcement in Cambodia operates through a procedural chain that connects police investigation, judicial authorization, arrest, evidence handling, and referral to the competent court. An arrest warrant issued by an investigating judge authorizes law-enforcement officers to bring an accused person before the court named in the judicial order.
Drug-trafficking cases are handled through criminal procedure that links specialized police units, provincial police authorities, and the court system. In narcotics cases, seized items such as phones, identity documents, vehicles, or other materials may be recorded as evidence and kept by the competent enforcement unit pending further judicial procedure.
The National Police of Cambodia reported an enforcement action involving two arrest warrants issued by investigating judges of the Battambang Provincial Court in connection with alleged illegal trafficking of narcotic substances.
Enforcement Actions
According to the National Police, Battambang provincial police officers cooperated with the Anti-Drug Department to execute two arrest warrants on 2 May 2026 at about 3:00 p.m. in front of house H3 in Borey Serey Jenna, on a concrete road in Chong Thnal village, Prek Pnov district, Phnom Penh.
The accused was identified as Kin Samnang, male, 48, with a residence in Tuol Ta Ek village, Tuol Ta Ek sangkat, Battambang city, Battambang province. The police stated that the operation was conducted under the direction of senior National Police and Battambang provincial police leadership.
Judicial Warrants and Allegations
The first warrant was arrest warrant No. 1030, dated 31 October 2025, issued by Investigating Judge Chhay Vireak of the Battambang Provincial Court. The warrant concerned alleged illegal trafficking of narcotic substances at the railway station area in Battambang city, Battambang province, during the period from August 2025 onward as described in the police statement.
The second warrant was arrest warrant No. 1378, dated 31 December 2025, issued by Investigating Judge Seng Bunna of the Battambang Provincial Court. That warrant concerned alleged illegal trafficking of narcotic substances in Tuol Ta Ek village, Tuol Ta Ek sangkat, Battambang city, Battambang province, during November 2025 through 18 November 2025.
Operational Implications
The reported operation involved coordination between a provincial police unit and the national Anti-Drug Department, indicating the use of cross-jurisdictional police cooperation when an accused person is located outside the province where the case is before the court.
The police reported the seizure of two mobile phones, one Cambodian identity card, one black money wallet, and one black PCX motorcycle with Battambang license plate 1AT-9220. The motorcycle was reported as being retained at the Anti-Drug Department.
The accused was sent to the Battambang Provincial Court for further procedure. The police statement described the case as the execution of court-issued arrest warrants and did not report a final court judgment.
