Cambodia Seizes Nearly 2 Tonnes of Drugs, Arrests Over 10,000 in First Half of 2025
PHNOM PENH — Cambodian authorities have ramped up their nationwide crackdown on narcotics, arresting more than 13,000 individuals and seizing nearly 2 tonnes of drugs in just the first six months of 2025. The latest figures were released by the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) on July 16.
According to the NACD report, officials launched 5,182 drug-related operations between January and June 2025, leading to the detention of 13,452 suspects. The operations resulted in the confiscation of approximately 1,890 kilograms of narcotics and a staggering 19,129 kilograms of chemical precursors—substances commonly used in drug production.
The data revealed a broad range of drug-related offenses:
- 3,086 cases of trafficking, transportation, and storage, with 6,079 arrests
- 8 cases of drug manufacturing, with 31 arrests
- 7 cases of cannabis cultivation, with 8 arrests
- 9 cases of facilitating drug use, with 32 arrests
- 16 cases involving drug-impaired driving, with 26 arrests
- 2,056 cases of drug use, leading to 7,276 arrests
Additionally, 407 arrest warrants were executed, resulting in 336 apprehensions.
Of the total number detained, 601 individuals were sent to court for prosecution. Meanwhile, 6,084 were referred to treatment and rehabilitation centres, and 591 were released into community-based treatment programs under guardian supervision.
The report also highlighted the scale and organization behind many of these operations. Seventy-four major cases involved well-established criminal networks. From these, 11 ringleaders and 219 accomplices were arrested. These cases alone led to the seizure of 1,828 kilograms of illegal drugs and 18,610 kilograms of chemical precursors—nearly all of the total confiscated in the six-month period.
Manufacturing Equipment Seized
Authorities also confiscated equipment used for drug production, underscoring the rise of domestic manufacturing operations in Cambodia, which has historically been a transit point in regional drug trafficking. The eight busted manufacturing operations indicate a worrying trend of local drug labs setting up operations inside Cambodian borders.
Cambodia’s War on Drugs Continues
This latest report reflects the Cambodian government’s continued hardline stance on drugs. Since launching a nationwide anti-drug campaign in 2017, authorities have increasingly focused on dismantling trafficking networks and prosecuting high-level operatives.
Officials say the strategy involves not only arrests but also treatment and rehabilitation as critical components of a long-term solution to the country’s drug crisis.
Public Health and Law Enforcement Challenges
While the figures demonstrate success in enforcement, public health experts continue to warn about the limitations of a punitive-only approach. With over 6,000 individuals sent to rehabilitation, the rising number of drug users entering the system highlights the demand-side issues that still need addressing.
The NACD has emphasized the importance of community-based programs, education, and international cooperation to sustain long-term progress.
Regional and Global Context
Cambodia’s proximity to the Golden Triangle—a region where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge—makes it a key player in regional narcotics trafficking. The surge in chemical precursor seizures suggests an increasing shift toward synthetic drug production, particularly methamphetamines, which continue to plague Southeast Asia.
Authorities continue to coordinate with international partners to track cross-border trafficking operations and dismantle transnational criminal syndicates.
Looking Ahead
With more than 10,000 arrests and 20 tonnes of substances seized in the first half of 2025 alone, Cambodia’s anti-drug campaign shows no signs of slowing. The coming months will be critical in determining whether enforcement efforts are effectively reducing supply—and whether social programs can meet the growing needs of addicts seeking recovery.
