Prime Minister Hun Manet has pledged that Cambodia will not become a destination or transit point for drug-related crimes and that the country will remain firm in preventing drugs from undermining national society.
Writing on his official Facebook page today, Hun Manet expressed pride that Cambodia was recognized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as a model country for its observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 2024.
Looking ahead to the 2025 observance, the Cambodian government has adopted the theme “Together Prevent and Eradicate the Roots of the Drug Problem in Cambodia”, aiming to spark a nationwide movement that mobilizes all sectors of society to both stop the spread of drugs and prevent their resurgence.
Hun Manet said the government, led by the National Authority for Combating Drugs, has introduced a range of new policies, strategies and approaches to encourage nationwide participation in the campaign to eliminate drugs from communities.
A recent report by the National Authority for Combating Drugs, presented at its annual review meeting on March 12, 2025, noted that Cambodia continues to face threats from the global drug trade, particularly from the so-called Golden Triangle region.
The report revealed that drug crimes did not decline in 2024. In fact, law enforcement activity increased significantly compared to 2023.
Specifically, drug-related cases rose by more than 31 percent in 2024. Authorities launched over 10,600 operations, a rise of 2,567 cases from the previous year.
More than 27,000 suspects were arrested, marking a year-on-year increase of 35.53 percent. Drug seizures totaled over 14 tons, up by nearly 12 tons compared to 2023. This represents an increase of nearly 400 percent in drug volume seized, or approximately a fourfold rise.
The National Authority for Combating Drugs said the figures reflect the intensifying global drug threat and reinforce the government’s commitment to aggressive enforcement and community-level prevention.
