Background
The National Police of Cambodia has an operational mandate to investigate criminal offenses and to coordinate arrests and evidence collection in cases involving illicit drugs. Provincial police units coordinate with district authorities and specialized narcotics teams to conduct field tests, searches, and seizures in suspected drug trafficking cases.
On 22 May 2026 in Mondulkiri province, police forces executed an operation that combined administrative police posts and specialized narcotics units to investigate alleged drug dealing and possession. Field-level saliva tests were applied to the suspects during the operation and authorities report assembling a case file under legal procedures following evidence collection.
Key Developments
Local police in Srae Preah commune, Kaev Seima district, Mondulkiri conducted an inquiry after a positive saliva drug test on an individual named Phary Phearith. Subsequent coordinated activity led narcotics investigators to a suspected drug trading location at a factory site in Ourchra village, Srae Preah commune.
Authorities detained four suspects: Phary Phearith (male, 24), Sao Sroy (male, 26), Yan Yeun (male, 43), and Ra Tit (male, 29). Officers reported recovering two packages of methamphetamine (one large, one small), smoking implements, two unregistered motorcycles (a red Wave and a black Wave XRS), three mobile phones (HONOR black, Infinix two different colors), packaging bags, and one scale.
Police teams tested all four detainees with saliva drug tests that returned positive results for methamphetamine, according to the reporting unit. Investigators are preparing the case file for legal processing under applicable procedures.
Institutional Role
The operation was carried out with reference to guidance from the National Police Commander and involved coordination between the provincial deputy prosecutor’s office and local authorities. Administrative police posts, district narcotics specialists, and local officials participated in arrests, searches, and evidence seizure during the operation.
