Cambodia's Takeo Province: Former Police Chief Demands Probe into Alleged Irregularities in Drug Bust

A year-old drug bust in Cambodia's Takeo Province has been marred by allegations of irregularities, with a former police chief demanding a thorough investigation. The case has led to the reassignment of three police officers from the Chambok Commune Police Post to the Takeo Provincial Police Headquarters. Mr. Mean Vutha, the former chief of Chambok Commune Police Post, has publicly spoken out on social media, seeking justice and urging former leaders of the Bati District Police Inspectorate to take responsibility. According to Mr. Mean Vutha, on August 7, 2025, his unit conducted a drug raid at the "Roksa Pech" guesthouse in Trapeang Lean village, Chambok commune, Bati district. Three suspects were apprehended: Aun Narak, 25; Mean Makara, 25; and Vannak Tonheng, 19. They seized a packet of powder suspected to be illicit drugs and three mobile phones. The evidence and suspects were subsequently transferred to the Bati District Police Inspectorate for further processing. However, irregularities reportedly emerged during the subsequent procedures. The suspect Mean Makara was released. Aun Narak was initially sent to a rehabilitation center. Later, after the scandal was leaked, the Inspectorate reportedly brought Aun Narak back from the rehabilitation center and detained him at Takeo Provincial Prison. Mr. Mean Vutha further stated that before a higher-level inspection team arrived, the Inspectorate instructed him to lie, claiming that the suspect Mean Makara had escaped from the post due to a shortage of handcuffs, which could only hold two people at a time. At that time, the Inspectorate assured they would take full responsibility for any issues that arose. Despite this, after the inspection concluded, Mr. Mean Vutha and two of his subordinates were reassigned to the Provincial Police Headquarters, a decision he found unjust and unacceptable. In relation to this case, Mr. Mean Vutha has requested that Mr. Chay Keomunny, former Inspector of Bati District Police, and Mr. Hout Saokun, Deputy Inspector in charge of drugs, appear to take legal and superior responsibility, as his previous statements were made solely under their orders. Attempts to contact Mr. Chay Keomunny, the former Inspector of Bati District Police, for comment were unsuccessful. Mr. Hout Saokun, the Deputy Inspector of Bati District Police, briefly stated, "I have superiors." Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer