PHNOM PENH – Cambodia burned more than six tonnes of illicit drugs and ingredients today to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, officials said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng set fire to the seized illicit substances at a ceremony held at the Diamond Island in the capital Phnom Penh, Xinhua reported.
“The event clearly reflects the Cambodian government’s strong willingness and commitment to prevent and suppress all forms of illicit drugs,” he said.
Kheng added that the authorities will intensify crackdowns on all kinds of drug crimes and money laundering.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s prosecutor Chreng Khmao said some 6.25 tonnes of illicit drugs and ingredients were destroyed at the event, adding that they were heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cathinone, ketamine and nimetazepam.
The Southeast Asian nation has no death sentence for drug traffickers. Under its law, those found guilty of trafficking more than 80g of drugs can be jailed for life.
According to the country’s Anti-Drug Police Department, from January to May this year, the authorities had arrested 6,168 drug suspects including 80 foreigners, seizing 1.58 tonnes of illicit drugs. – Bernama, June 26, 2022
