Background
The National Police of Cambodia is the principal law enforcement agency responsible for criminal investigations and arrest operations across provincial and municipal jurisdictions. Provincial and municipal police units execute arrests and seize illicit narcotics as part of coordinated anti-narcotics operations recorded by central police authorities.
On 22 August 2026, police reported 13 anti-narcotics cases nationwide that resulted in 57 suspects arrested, including two women; reported seized quantities included 73.99 grams of methamphetamine (Ice), 0.39 grams of Wy, and 25.80 grams of ketamine (Ke). The public notice named participation by eight operational units across multiple provinces in the seizures and arrests.
Key Developments
National Police published an operation summary listing three categories of alleged offenses: trading, transport/storage, and personal use. The dispatch reported 3 trading cases with 28 arrests, 6 transport or storage cases with 13 arrests (including two women), and 4 possession/use cases with 16 arrests. The aggregate seizure totals and the case breakdown provide a single-day snapshot of enforcement activity on 22 August 2026.
Institutional Role
Reported activity involved eight cooperating units that carried out arrests and seizures in both provincial and municipal areas. The operational report attributes arrests and evidence collection to five police units plus three additional units identified as PM units, each recording specific arrests and drug quantities in their jurisdictions.
Enforcement Actions
Reported provincial and municipal outcomes included the following: Phnom Penh and units recorded multiple arrests and case types; Kandal province reported one use case with five arrests; Kampong Chhnang reported one storage case with five arrests and seizure of 8.75 grams of Ice; Poipet or Pothisat recorded one storage case with one arrest and seizure of 2.42 grams of Ice; Siem Reap recorded one storage case with two arrests, one use case with nine arrests, and two other procedures with one arrest and seizure of 0.11 grams of Ice; Stung Treng reported two trading cases with 19 arrests and one use case with one arrest, seizing 61.85 grams of Ice and 0.39 grams of Wy. The PM-designated units reported operations in Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Speu, and Svay Rieng with the seizures and arrests noted in the public summary.
Primary source: National Police of Cambodia public notice and linked police brief (police.gov.kh).
