Cambodian Police Chief Disciplined Amid Allegations of Releasing Suspect in Drug Bust

Mr. Mean Vuttha, former chief of the Chompok commune police post in Bati district, Takeo province, has been transferred to serve as an intervention police officer at the Takeo Provincial Police Commissionerate, following disciplinary action by the National Police. This disciplinary action was taken after an investigation by the Ministry of Interior's inspection team into allegations that one suspect was released during a drug bust operation in August 2025. Mr. Mean Vuttha believes the disciplinary action against him is unjust. He claims he was merely following orders from some district and provincial leaders and is seeking intervention to clear his name. Mr. Mean Vuttha stated to "Kampuchea Thmey" on the morning of September 4, 2026, that the case stemmed from a drug bust operation on the night of August 7, 2025, along National Road No. 2, at the "168" guesthouse. During the operation, his force and he personally arrested three suspects red-handed and seized a quantity of narcotics. One of the three suspects was identified as Mr. Aun Narak, a police officer from the Bati District Police Inspectorate. After the arrest, he reported to Colonel Chhay Keomunny, the district inspector at the time (currently head of the police post management office), and the specialized unit. He was ordered to bring all suspects and evidence to the district police inspectorate and handed over the suspects to the district's specialized force. However, he was later instructed by Colonel Chhay Keomunny and Lieutenant Colonel Hout Saokun, the deputy inspector in charge of narcotics at the Bati District Police Inspectorate, to report only two individuals, stating, "When we went to the scene, we saw three people, but we only caught two and one escaped. It's fine, the higher-ups have already discussed it." After the case was leaked and reported by several media outlets regarding the release of one suspect, Colonel Chhay Keomunny ordered Mr. Mean Vuttha to recapture the escaped suspect. When the Ministry of Interior's inspection team launched its investigation, the team decided to impose disciplinary action on Mr. Mean Vuttha and two of his other post officials, accusing them of allowing a suspect to escape. Mr. Mean Vuttha feels he is being punished for something he did not do. As of September 4, 2026, Colonel Chhay Keomunny could not be reached for comment. Article by: Sokhom