Illegal Bars Raided in Phnom Penh, Over 30 Detained

Two bars, "FEMDOM" and "RED ROMANCE," located in Market Area 1, Phsar Kandal 1 Commune, Don Penh District, in the heart of Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, were raided by authorities shortly after midnight on September 8. A total of 37 individuals, both male and female, were detained during this operation. According to local residents, the Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police Force surrounded and conducted the operation at both bars. Twenty-four people were detained at RED ROMANCE, and 13 at FEMDOM. Law enforcement officials stated that these two bars shared the same owner. One of the 37 detained individuals, a male, has been transferred to the Directorate of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection for questioning and legal proceedings. This incident highlights the challenges Cambodian society faces regarding the regulation of nightlife establishments and the protection of minors, as well as the prevention of human trafficking. The raid in the central district, in particular, suggests that authorities are intensifying their vigilance against such illegal activities. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer