STORY: Cambodia burns down 5.71 tonnes of illicit drugs, ingredients
DATELINE: June 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:11
LOCATION: Phnom Penh
CATEGORY: OTHERS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of destroying illicit drugs and ingredients in Phnom Penh

STORYLINE:

Cambodia on Wednesday destroyed 5.71 tonnes of illicit drugs and ingredients, officials said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng set fire on the illicit drugs and substances at a ceremony held at the Diamond Island in the capital Phnom Penh.

"This clearly demonstrates the government's strong commitment to preventing and cracking down on all forms of drug trafficking," he said.

Kheng commended authorities at all levels for sparing no effort to suppress all kinds of drug crimes for the sake of the nation's peace, security, safety, public order and development.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court's prosecutor Chreng Khmao said roughly 5.71 tonnes of illicit drugs and ingredients were destroyed at the event, and that those drugs included heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cathinone, ketamine and nimetazepam.

According to the Anti-Drug Police Department, Cambodia nabbed 7,230 drug-related suspects, including 136 foreigners, during the January-May period of 2023, seizing nearly 785 kg of narcotics.

The Southeast Asian nation has no death sentence for drug traffickers. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of drugs could be jailed for life.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Phnom Penh.
(XHTV)