Cambodia Strengthens Measures Against Illicit Goods via Postal Services

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia jointly organized a seminar to prevent and suppress the smuggling of prohibited items through postal services. The seminar, held on August 6, 2026, was presided over by H.E. Huot Chanyarith, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and Deputy Chairman of the Sub-Committee for Prevention, Control, and Crackdown on Narcotics via Postal Mail. Attendees included high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Interior, including H.E. Lieutenant General Sam Vannavireak, Deputy Commissioner General of the National Police; representatives from the National Authority for Combating Drugs; the Phnom Penh Municipal Court; the Prosecutor's Office; the Directorate of Internal Security; the Anti-Drug Department; deputy commissioners and heads of anti-drug offices from all 24 provinces; and representatives from the postal and telecommunications departments of the 24 provinces. H.E. Huot Chanyarith stated that the postal sector plays a crucial role in sending and distributing mail, serving communication needs, especially in the digital age and with the rise of e-commerce, which has diversified postal service usage. He noted that unscrupulous individuals exploit this to commit illicit acts, such as sending prohibited items like narcotics, bombs, explosives, and protected wildlife, which harm public health, order, and social security. The seminar aimed to deepen the understanding of postal operators and relevant institutions regarding the prevention, control, and suppression of prohibited items. It also served to disseminate relevant legal standards and promote closer cooperation between competent authorities and postal operators to effectively combat these offenses, aligning with the theme "Jointly Responding to Drug Problems in a New Context with Creativity." This seminar was co-organized by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Interior with the objective of enhancing awareness among postal service operators and stakeholders about prohibited items, sharing experiences in prevention and suppression, disseminating current legal documents related to prohibited items, and promoting closer cooperation between competent authorities and postal operators for effective crime suppression.