In brief
In the first ten months of 2026, Cambodia's Anti‑Drug Department logged 25,360 drug‑related arrests, a 16.3% increase from the same period last year. Despite the uptick, the total seized narcotics dropped to 4.26 tons from 5.48 tons reported for 2025.
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) — Cambodia’s Anti‑Drug Department (ADP) announced that it had detained 25,360 drug suspects from January through October 2026, up 16.3 percent from the 21,800 arrests recorded in the same period in 2025.
According to the report, 48.3 percent of those detained were classified as traffickers, manufacturers, possessors or transporters, while 51.7 percent were identified as drug users.
Foreign nationals constituted 1,248 of the apprehensions, representing 25 different nationalities.
“Authorities confiscated 4.26 tons of illicit drugs and 537 kilograms of dry cannabis between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2026,” the report said, noting that these figures represent a decline from the 5.48‑ton and 516‑kg totals seized during the same timeframe in 2025.
The seized drugs comprised ketamine, ecstasy, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, cocaine and cathinone. In addition to narcotics, the ADP seized 73 pistols and 27 homemade rifles.
Under Cambodian law, individuals convicted of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs can face life imprisonment, though the country does not impose the death penalty for drug offenses.
