Major Drug Bust Off Cambodian Coast: 7 Chinese Nationals Arrested, Nearly 1 Ton of Narcotics Seized

Maritime border police in Cambodia have conducted a large-scale operation to suppress drug and illegal arms trafficking, arresting seven Chinese nationals and seizing approximately one ton of narcotics, along with dozens of firearms and nearly 8,000 rounds of ammunition. The operation took place around 12:10 AM on September 23, 2026, in the sea and on land near Koh Ruessei island, at coordinates N10.459741-E103.606419, within the maritime territory of Sihanoukville province. This significant operation was carried out under the direct command of National Police Chief General Sao Thet, with guidance from Deputy National Police Chief General Kheng Someth, who oversees sectors 3, 4, and 5, and direct leadership from Major General Touch Pola, Director of the Maritime Border Police Department. Specialist forces had been monitoring targets secretly for several days before identifying them clearly. The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Sihanoukville Provincial Police and under the procedural coordination of the Deputy Prosecutor of the Sihanoukville Provincial Court. The results of the operation include the arrest of 7 Chinese suspects (2 on a boat, 5 in vehicles) and the seizure of 42 bags of suspected white powder narcotics, weighing approximately 840 kilograms. Additionally, 10 rifles, 39 handguns, 108 magazines, 7,937 bullets, and 8 silencers were confiscated. Three motorcycles, two cars, and one boat were also seized. Currently, the seven suspects and all seized evidence have been handed over to the Sihanoukville Provincial Police, as per the order of the National Police Chief, to build a case file for legal proceedings.