July 17, 2025
PHNOM PENH – From January to June of this year, authorities have taken action in over 5,000 drug-related cases, seizing nearly 2 tonnes of drugs and arresting more than 10,000 individuals.
On July 16, the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) reported that in the first six months of 2025, authorities conducted operations in 5,182 drug-related cases, with 13,452 individuals detained. They confiscated approximately 2 tonnes (1,890 kilogrammes) of various narcotics and over 19 tonnes (19,129 kg) of chemical precursors, along with manufacturing equipment.
According to the report, the cases included 3,086 cases of trafficking, transportation and storage, with 6,079 arrests, 8 cases of drug manufacturing, with 31 arrests, 7 cases of cannabis cultivation, with 8 arrests, 9 cases of facilitating drug use, with 32 arrests, 16 cases of driving under the influence of drugs, with 26 arrests, and 2,056 cases of drug use, with 7,276 arrests.
The report noted that 601 individuals were sent to court, 6,084 were sent to treatment and rehabilitation centres and 591 were released to guardians for community-based treatment.
Additionally, authorities executed 407 arrest warrants, detaining 336 individuals.
The majority of the drugs were seized in 74 major cases involving organised networks, with 11 ringleaders and 219 associates arrested. These operations resulted in the confiscation of approximately 1,828 kg of drugs and 18,610 kg of chemical precursors.