A four-day drug investigation concluded on Monday in Phnom Penh, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of around 7.5 kilograms of methamphetamine around the capital.
Eng Hy, spokesman for the National Military Police, said on Tuesday night that Svay Rieng Provincial Military Police led the operation, and that the suspects and evidence – which also included paraphernalia, two pistols, a car, a motorbike and about $8,600 – were sent back to Svay Rieng “for further interrogation and procedures”. The suspects were also found with a little more than $8,600 in cash.
According to Hy, the arrests of three Cambodian suspects in Svay Rieng province and Phnom Penh's Daun Penh and Chbar Ampov districts – which netted about 2.5 kilos of drugs – led police to a room of the Mekong View Tower hotel in Chroy Changvar commune. There, seven more suspects were detained and another five kilos of meth confiscated. Four among them were identified as Vietnamese nationals.
Svay Rieng Military Police commander Sé Vuthy said today that three Cambodian suspects arrested at the hotel were released because they were “not involved”. The remaining seven suspects were questioned at court today, and will sent back again on Thursday.
According to Vuthy, the remaining seven suspects were preliminarily charged with drug possession, and two received an additional charge of illicit firearm possession.
