Cambodia Destroys 800 Tons of Counterfeit Cigarettes and Related Materials

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, presided over the destruction ceremony of approximately 800 tons of counterfeit cigarettes, packaging materials, and related items on the morning of September 17, 2026. These items were seized by authorities from several production sites and warehouses in Takeo province. The ceremony took place in Tram Kak District, Takeo Province, with the participation of leaders and relevant technical officials, as well as representatives from brand owners and cooperation partners. The operation was conducted under the coordination of the Prosecutor's Office of the Takeo Provincial Court, with the cooperation of relevant authorities and law enforcement. It is recalled that on June 12, 2026, authorities raided a factory and a warehouse located in Roka Krao Sangkat, Don Keo City, Takeo Province. During the operation, a 44-year-old Chinese national, who managed the site, was arrested. This suspect was also a target of an arrest warrant issued by the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau in China and was later handed over to Chinese authorities by Cambodian officials for legal proceedings. During the raid, authorities seized numerous machines and related materials, including 91 cigarette production composite machines, 6 computers, 1,127,213 kilograms of unbranded related materials, and 230,890 kilograms of counterfeit branded materials from the factory, which comprised seven buildings. In the warehouse, authorities discovered and confiscated 31 types of counterfeit branded cigarettes, totaling 1,816,964 cartons, equivalent to 370,773 kilograms. The majority were brands such as ESSE, JET, MEVIUS, Manchester, and some Chinese brands. Additionally, 122,527 kilograms of counterfeit branded packaging materials were found. Following the operation, the Takeo Provincial Police Commissioner's Office prepared a case file and submitted it to the court for further legal proceedings. A request was also made for the provisional disposal of the seized evidence in accordance with existing laws and procedures. Furthermore, reports indicate that the aforementioned locations were used for the production of counterfeit cigarettes, converting legitimate branded cigarette production into the manufacturing of fake products. They also served as storage facilities for products and related materials, posing risks of fire, environmental damage, and health hazards during storage. These counterfeit cigarette products had not obtained production rights from the brand owners in accordance with legal provisions. It is noteworthy that the destruction in Takeo Province is the second large-scale incineration of counterfeit cigarettes and related materials, following the destruction of over 400 tons in Tboung Khmum Province on August 18, 2026, under an order from the Investigating Judge of the Tboung Khmum Provincial Court. These destructions are carried out under the leadership and direction of the National Police Commissioner General, with the cooperation of local authorities, relevant law enforcement agencies, international cooperation partners, and brand owners.