KhmerTimes-Sept 25, 2026
Cambodian maritime border police have arrested seven Chinese nationals and seized nearly one ton of suspected drugs, along with 49 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition, in a major crackdown on drug and illegal arms trafficking off the coast of Preah Sihanouk province. The operation was conducted on Wednesday near Koh Russei in the provincial maritime area, following several days of undercover surveillance that allowed authorities to identify the suspects and their alleged trafficking activities. It was led by Department of Maritime Border Police Director Lieutenant General Touch Poleak with cooperation from the department’s units based in Sihanoukville. Lt Gen Touch Poleak said yesterday that police initially intercepted a speedboat carrying two Chinese nationals in the sea after receiving confidential information about suspected drug and weapons trafficking. Following the initial interception, police continued the operation on land and stopped two vehicles, arresting five additional Chinese nationals. He noted that authorities seized 42 sacks of suspected methamphetamine weighing about 840 kilograms, along with three motorcycles, 10 long firearms, 39 handguns, 108 magazines, 7,937 rounds of ammunition and eight silencers. “The total haul of 49 firearms, together with the large quantity of suspected drugs and ammunition, has prompted further investigation into the suspects’ alleged involvement in an organized trafficking network,” Lt Gen Poleak said. He added that the seven suspects and all seized evidence have been handed over to the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Police Commissariat for legal action. The authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the origin and intended destination of the drugs and weapons and to identify any other people who may have been involved, according to Lt Gen Poleak. Read more at:
