Background
The National Police maintains provincial counter-narcotics units that investigate suspected drug offenses, seize alleged narcotics and related paraphernalia, and prepare case files for submission to prosecutorial authorities. Provincial teams routinely coordinate search, arrest and evidence-handling procedures with provincial prosecutors and courts to support criminal proceedings.
Forensic and presumptive drug-testing are used during processing to determine whether detained individuals test positive for controlled substances; test results are recorded and attached to the investigative dossier. Counter-narcotics operations commonly include documentation of seized items such as controlled substances, vaping devices, mobile phones and vehicles, which are catalogued as evidence for court referral.
Key Developments
On 8 July 2026 at approximately 18:30, the provincial counter-narcotics office in Banteay Meanchey executed a targeted operation at the Lom Road checkpoint in Samakkhi Meanchey village, Ou Chrov commune, Poipet city. Four foreign nationals were detained during the operation: Hendry Wijaya Asen (male, 35, Indonesian); Han DongSheng (male, 40, Chinese); Man Yigui (male, 26, Chinese); and Apinya Potiba (female, 21, Thai).
Enforcement Actions
Authorities reported seizure of suspected narcotics and related items during searches: two small bags of a substance reported as methamphetamine and 30 Pod K cartridges plus one mobile phone from Hendry Wijaya Asen; 23 Pod K cartridges, one mobile phone and one vehicle associated with Han DongSheng; and, during inspection of a second room where Apinya Potiba was present, authorities recovered seven electronic vaping devices and assorted packaging. All detained individuals and seized items were transported to the counter-narcotics office for processing.
Presumptive tests for controlled substances returned positive results for three male detainees and a negative result for Apinya Potiba. The provincial police compiled a case file and forwarded the suspects and evidentiary materials to the competent court for further legal action.
Institutional Role
The National Police’s provincial counter-narcotics units act as the operational arm for on-the-ground drug control activities, including arrests, seizures and immediate forensic screening. Case files produced by these units form the basis for prosecutorial review and judicial proceedings at the provincial level.
Official Source
Official report as published by the National Police of Cambodia: https://police.gov.kh/?p=173456
