PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Interior, Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng, has emphasized the need to establish a law to regulate substances that can produce drugs, in order to prevent the spread of drugs in Cambodia. He made this statement while speaking at the meeting to summarize the results of the implementation of the 6th plan to fight against illegal drugs, and the dissemination plan of the 7th campaign against illegal drugs, on Thursday morning at Sokha Hotel, Phnom Penh.

DPM Sar Kheng said that certain chemicals can be combined into drugs and so far, the relevant ministries and institutions have allowed the import of legal chemicals to Cambodia to produce or process for use in various fields of economic development. However, he added that criminals steal these same chemicals to make into drugs, to circulate them in Cambodia as well as in third- or fourth-party countries.

He said, "I have discussed with the Ministry of Justice and the National Police, and we have agreed that we need to establish a legal framework to regulate the ingredients used to control the substances used to process and make drugs."

DPM Sar Kheng encourages all stakeholders to make these works successful and not to impede the import of these chemicals into Cambodia. He expressed his hope that the relevant ministries and institutions will work hard to prevent illegal drugs in Cambodia.

On the same occasion, the Chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, Deputy Prime Minister Ke Kim Yan, highlighted the change in direction of maritime drug control operations, which required meetings to further strengthen cooperation. He noted the growing number of large-scale drug cases that are lurking in drug production, which has changed the current circumstances and calls for the review of effective prevention measures.

Later during the meeting, the Deputy Secretary General of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, General Mak Chito, said that in 2021 especially, drug criminals took the opportunity to transport drugs from the Golden Triangle to Cambodia, by land and sea, to continue exporting to third countries and trading locally. He said you could find drug processing sites under the label of handicraft factories, condominiums and Boreys.

He added that in 2021, law enforcement forces cracked down on 6,308 drug crimes, while in 2020, they cracked down on 10,461 cases and arrested a total of 13,979 suspects. Authorities also seized a total of more than 4 tons plus 689 kilograms of drugs, while in 2020 there were more than 3 tons plus 875 kilograms. Per 1 kg of drugs, there were 73 arrests, 31 ringleaders, 133 drug traffickers, and a total of more than 4,000 kilograms of nicotine.

According to the Secretary General of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, General Meas Varith, the dissemination plan of the 7th campaign against illegal drugs, which will be implemented from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022, is focused on continuing education, dissemination, research, investigation, prevention, suppression, and acceleration of all procedures for the management of exhibits and drug-related assets, and promote operation activities that strengthen and promote the implementation of treatment and rehabilitation measures as well.