PHNOM PENH, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has reported a significant increase in both the number of people arrested and the amount of narcotics seized in the first half (H1) of 2024, according to an Anti-Drug Department (ADP)'s report on Monday.
The authorities had detained 11,780 drug-related suspects during the January-June period this year, up 30 percent from 9,034 over the same period last year, the report said, adding that more than 300 suspects were foreigners in 13 nationalities.
"A total of 5.01 tons of illicit drugs had been confiscated from those suspects' possession during the January-June period of 2024," the report said.
According to the report, only 993 kg of illicit drugs had been seized during the first half of 2023.
The seized drugs included heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, cathinone and ketamine, among others.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a message to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26 that fight against illicit drugs was a top priority.
"As a signatory to various conventions and protocols, I would like to express our commitment and strong will to make the fight against drugs a high priority of the seventh-mandate government," he said.
He added that the government has the clear vision of building Cambodia into a country where drugs are no longer an obstacle or a problem for society.
Hun Manet also ordered provincial and local authorities to stamp out drug distribution and usage at nightclubs and other entertainment facilities.
Cambodia has no death sentence for drug traffickers. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs could be jailed for life. ■