Cambodia Orders Intensified Crackdown on Transnational Drug Networks

PHNOM PENH, Sept 8, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s Interior Minister has urged law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts against transnational drug trafficking, calling for greater use of intelligence systems and targeted surveillance to dismantle large‑scale networks. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha told officials that cross‑border trafficking remains a major concern for Cambodia and the wider region. He said drug seizures have risen sharply, with some operations netting nearly one tonne of narcotics. Despite the crackdown, Sokha warned that drug‑related offences continue to occur and are becoming more complex. He pointed to changes in the profiles of suspects involved in transporting narcotics and dried cannabis from Cambodia to other countries. Cooperation with Phnom Penh International Airport has helped authorities identify new patterns among alleged traffickers, he added. Nationals from several countries, including South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, have recently been identified among those suspected of involvement in trafficking operations, according to the minister. Sokha urged law enforcement agencies to strengthen intelligence‑sharing and surveillance capabilities, stressing the need to target major networks rather than focusing solely on individual couriers. His comments come as Southeast Asian nations grapple with increasingly sophisticated trafficking groups that adapt routes and methods to evade detection. Regional authorities say cooperation is essential to counter criminal organisations exploiting porous borders and expanding their reach. Cambodia has pledged to step up coordination with neighbouring countries and international partners to confront what officials describe as one of the most pressing security challenges facing the region.