The property was seized from individuals involved in drug-related crimes at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. Heng Chivoan
The National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) on Wednesday handed over property seized as part of anti-drug efforts to the Boeung Keng Kang district police.
Apartment 26AB, located on St 384 in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Svay Prey I commune, will be transformed into Boeung Keng Kang district police’s headquarters, NACD secretary-general Meas Vyrith said on Sunday.
The property, he said, was seized from unidentified individuals involved in drug-related crimes.
“The NACD decided to hand over the apartment because the Boeung Keng Kang district police had only been established recently and still had no headquarters.
“This decision reflects NACD’s commitment to improving cooperation and to motivate its partners,” he said.
Vyrith did not provide details of the offences committed at the apartment or by its owners.
He said that any asset obtained through drug-related crimes will be seized and transferred to the NACD. If properties are seized, they may be used as centres from which to coordinate anti-drug efforts.
However, he said such assets could also be sold, in which case the money is generally awarded to police officers to encourage them to keep fighting against drug trafficking.
He said police have seized a significant number of assets from drug criminals, including land, plantations, motorcycles, and cars. These assets have been transferred to a committee tasked with monitoring, collecting and managing State assets.
On Wednesday, the NACD auctioned off 23 motorcycles confiscated in Koh Kong and 97 seized in Preah Sihanouk province, as well as several properties. They were all related to drug offences.
“The committee on the monitoring, collection, and management of state assets involved in drug crimes has sold several drug-related properties, earning over $2 million,” he said.
Vyrith noted that 29 per cent of the money earned from selling seized properties went to the national budget and the remaining to the NACD.
Affiliated Network for Social Accountability executive director San Chey said it was good that the police were putting ideas into action.
“We want to see the law being applied. If law enforcement is strong, this practice is useful. We want to see these seizures delineated in a law passed by the National Assembly.
“The seizure of properties belonging to corrupt people is also appropriate,” he added.
