Cambodia is experiencing its worse spate of drug trafficking incidents and a rise in the manufacture of illicit substances despite the Government’s anti-drug campaigns, according to a report from the Cambodian National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) presented during its annual meeting in Phnom Penh on March 12.
The report said that NACD and relevant agencies investigated 818 cases involving drugs, and put a stop to many drug trafficking networks and gangs.
The campaigns resulted in the arrest of 1,788 criminals from 14 countries, 81 kilograms of drugs and more than 50 tonnes of chemicals used to produce drugs.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Ke Kim Yan, who is also NACD Chairman, requested the relevant organisations to strengthen anti-drug activities, particularly to enhance responsibility, skills and cooperation with neighbouring countries.
In 2011, Cambodia passed a new drug control law in which people found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of drugs will receive a life-sentence. The country also signed the ASEAN leaders' declaration on drug-free ASEAN by 2015 in April 2012.
NACD estimates that there are 4,000 drug addicts and nearly 3,000 people undergoing detoxification in the country. However, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says the actual figure may be much higher, and these addicts are an important bridge in the international drug trafficking network.-VNA
The report said that NACD and relevant agencies investigated 818 cases involving drugs, and put a stop to many drug trafficking networks and gangs.
The campaigns resulted in the arrest of 1,788 criminals from 14 countries, 81 kilograms of drugs and more than 50 tonnes of chemicals used to produce drugs.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Ke Kim Yan, who is also NACD Chairman, requested the relevant organisations to strengthen anti-drug activities, particularly to enhance responsibility, skills and cooperation with neighbouring countries.
In 2011, Cambodia passed a new drug control law in which people found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of drugs will receive a life-sentence. The country also signed the ASEAN leaders' declaration on drug-free ASEAN by 2015 in April 2012.
NACD estimates that there are 4,000 drug addicts and nearly 3,000 people undergoing detoxification in the country. However, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says the actual figure may be much higher, and these addicts are an important bridge in the international drug trafficking network.-VNA
