Irish Woman Arrested at Phnom Penh Airport with 40kg of Dried Cannabis

An Irish national was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport (Techo International Airport) on July 30 for possessing approximately 40 kilograms of dried cannabis. The woman was reportedly planning to travel from Cambodia to Singapore. According to Colonel Hem Vanna, an official from the airport's immigration department, the woman had concealed a large quantity of cannabis in her suitcase. Following the discovery, immigration officers detained the woman. The arrested woman, along with the seized cannabis, was handed over to anti-drug authorities for further legal proceedings in accordance with Cambodian law. This incident highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in Cambodia. In recent years, with an increase in tourism, drug-related crimes have been observed, prompting authorities to enhance surveillance at airports and borders. While the medicinal use of cannabis is being discussed in some circles, it remains strictly prohibited under current Cambodian law. This case underscores concerns about Cambodia potentially being used as a transit point for international drug smuggling routes. Source: CEN Cambodia