Phnom Penh: Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Manet, has issued an executive order to rid the armed forces of any association with drugs as part of the country's ongoing efforts to combat drug-related issues.

The Prime Minister made this announcement during the closing ceremony of the Ministry of Environment's work results review meeting on Thursday evening, December 21, 2023.

In his statement, he emphasized the necessity of cleansing the armed forces of any drug involvement, highlighting the importance of law enforcement personnel being free from any drug-related activities.

He asserted, "The removal of drug-affiliated individuals from the ranks is a top priority. Officials engaged in drug trafficking will be expelled and subject to legal action. Foreigners implicated in drug activities will be subject to the law and deported from Cambodia."

Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of National Defense, the General Commissioner of the National Police, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to rigorously enforce the expulsion of any officials found to be involved in drug use.

It is worth noting that on December 19, 2023, the Ministry of Interior announced the expulsion of a senior anti-drug police officer holding the rank of colonel within the National Police. The officer served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Administration at the Department of Anti-Drug Offenses under the General Commission of the National Police.

According to Deputy Ministry of Interior spokesman Touch Sokheak, the officer was dismissed after the ministry's investigation revealed his involvement in acts of violence, drug storage, and illegal drug use dating back to September 2019.