PhnomPenhPost-Aug 12, 2026
Shipment of approximately 1.3 tons of ketamine shipped from Thailand and seized in Indonesia has no connection to Cambodia, despite the criminal network responsible using packaging labelled with the “Neang Minh” and “Neang Khon” Khmer rice varieties. Indonesian police stated that the narcotics were intercepted by the Indonesian Navy on a vessel which departed Thailand. A navy warship intercepted the vessel on Aug 6 as it entered Indonesian territory. The following day, authorities uncovered 65 sacks containing substances confirmed to be ketamine, with an estimated street value of $116 million. Eight individuals were arrested, including seven from Myanmar and one from Taiwan. Indonesian authorities explained that they are continuing to investigate the port of departure, the final destination and the identities of the senders and recipients. The incident followed a previous seizure of 3.37 tons of cannabis which was shipped from Thailand to Indonesia. The latest bust raised questions in the Kingdom, as the drugs were found inside rice sacks printed with Khmer text that read “Natural Rice Neang Minh” and “Neang Khon Rice.”
Meas Vyrith, secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), refuted claims that the latest case originated in the Kingdom, clarifying that the case is not linked to drug syndicates previously dismantled in Cambodia. “We have no new information regarding any recent transnational drug trafficking networks, as our law enforcement forces have successfully suppressed and cut off these lines and networks consecutively in recent times,” he told The Post. He explained the likely origins of the labelling. “Criminals often use packaging based on availability, their own perceptions or as recognizable signals, as well as to deceive authorities during indirect inspections. Read more at:
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/official-cambodia-has-no-relation-with-indonesian-drug-seizure/
