Two Suspects Arrested for Cough Syrup Smuggling and Drug Use on Cambodia-Thailand Border

In Cambodia's northwestern Banteay Meanchey province, two suspects arrested on suspicion of smuggling cough syrup from Thailand and using narcotics were sent to the provincial court on October 10th. The incident occurred around 4:30 PM on September 8th, near the border with Thailand in Malai district. Security forces in Malai district took custody of the two suspects handed over by border patrol units. Seized evidence included six cases of DATISSIN brand cough syrup, totaling 1,150 bottles. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to smuggling the syrup across the border river from Thailand. They stated they had carried out the smuggling twice under the instruction of a ringleader named Samren (alias Sun Ren), a 33-year-old Cambodian national, receiving a reward of 20,000 riels (approximately $5 USD) per trip. Furthermore, drug tests on the two suspects yielded positive results for narcotics. Authorities are currently searching for the escaped ringleader. This operation was conducted under the direction of the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Gendarmerie Commander, with the cooperation of the Provincial Court Prosecutor. Illegal drug and goods smuggling, along with cross-border crimes, remain persistent issues in the border areas between the two countries, prompting authorities to intensify their crackdown. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Security