Background
The National Police of Cambodia conducts coordinated anti-narcotics operations through provincial police units and specialized divisions to address trafficking, storage, and use of illicit drugs across the country. The force organizes multi-unit operations that combine local police directorates with central investigative teams to target trading, transportation, and consumer-level offences.
On 16 August 2026, law enforcement recorded 27 anti-narcotics cases nationwide that led to the arrest of 80 suspects and the seizure of 417.12 grams of methamphetamine (Ice) and 2,045.0 grams of heroin. Ten police units participated in the operations, which included arrests for trading, transporting/possessing, and using illegal narcotics.
Key Developments
Police reported a national breakdown of the 80 suspects and 27 cases as follows: five trade cases (12 detainees), twelve transport/possession cases (16 detainees), and ten use cases (52 detainees). Female suspects were identified among the detained: a total of four women across the operations.
The operations produced province-level seizures and detentions, including notable hauls and arrests recorded in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, and Tbong Khmum among others. Provincial tallies included a mixture of small consumer-level quantities and larger consignments linked to trafficking investigations.
Enforcement Actions
Ten police directorates participated in the coordinated enforcement activity reported on 16 August 2026. The actions combined detention of suspects, evidence collection, and seizure of controlled substances under criminal procedure conducted by local police units.
- Phnom Penh: multiple detentions including arrests for possession and use; Ice seized (reported regional seizure: 4.75 g).
- Kandal: combined trade and possession arrests with seizures including Ice and heroin (reported heroin seizure: 2,045.0 g in the provincial report).
- Tbong Khmum: trade and use arrests with a reported Ice seizure of 261.13 g.
- Other provinces with recorded seizures include Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kratie, Pursat, Siem Reap, and Svay Rieng with smaller individual quantities reported.
Operational Implications
The nationwide pattern of arrests and seizures on a single date demonstrates active interprovincial enforcement capacity and routine deployment of police directorates to address narcotics-related offences. Detailed arrest and seizure records from such operations provide a factual basis for monitoring enforcement activity and for agencies that track drug distribution patterns and criminal case loads.
Official Source
Information provided by the National Police of Cambodia and the official police portal: https://police.gov.kh/?p=183960
