CPP pigs do drug?

Police officers catalogue paraphernalia thought to be used in drug production during a raid in Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district yesterday. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

Police net drug haul on pig farm

Wednesday, 04 July 2012
May Titthara
The Phnom Penh Post

About 1,000 litres of precursor chemicals for methamphetamine production were seized by a coalition of authorities in a massive drug bust at a warehouse in Kampong Speu province yesterday.

Authorities were alerted when a guard at the one-time pig farm, owned by tycoon Sok Rathan, complained of illness from a foul smell emanating from the main structure on the property he was paid to guard in Kontrum village, Phnom Sruoch district.

“After preliminary searches [two days ago], we suspected the location might be used to produce drugs, and once or twice we saw there were some drug elements and powder buried in the soil around the warehouse,” Chan Da, deputy commander of Kampong Speu provincial military police, said.

The following day, 50 authority officials descended on the warehouse, which had been rented from Rathan by a Taiwanese man and a Colombian man, about 3:30pm.

Ecstasy factories destroyed in Cambodian rainforests

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 20, 2009 (Xinhua) -- Ten ecstasy laboratories operated by local drug cartels were destroyed Wednesday in one of Cambodia's most impenetrable and remote jungle areas in the country's southwest Cardamom Mountains, according to a statement released Friday by Wildlife Alliance.

The raid was carried out by an anti-drug task force led by Wildlife Alliance and in close cooperation with forest rangers from Cambodia's armed services and Ministry of Environment.

"At least 35 tons of safrole oil, a main ingredient used in the methamphetamine production of ecstasy, could have been used to make over five million ecstasy pills with a street value of over 100 million U.S. dollars," according to local officials.

Wildlife Alliance-sponsored ranger team from Cambodia's Ministry of Environment and managed by Fauna and Flora International, came across the ecstasy labs several months ago during a routine foot patrol through Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, 200 miles northwest of Phnom Penh.

Wildlife Alliance Technical Advisor and former French Legionnaire, Eduard Lefter, who planned the complex and dangerous raid with Cambodian Forest Rangers, commented on the operation, saying "The mission was very difficult to organize and the conditions extremely tough. The mountain terrain and dense forest made a helicopter insertion virtually impossible, so we went in by foot."

According to Lefter, the team spent 12 days in the jungle battling leeches and the resulting wound infections, as well as skirting landmines which made forward progress extremely difficult. By the end of the mission much of Lefter's ranger teams were suffering from dehydration from dwindling water supplies.

The teams also carried explosive ordnance in the form of landmines, provided by the Cambodian Military, to destroy the ecstasy labs and safrole distillation equipment.

Chea Chung, Nhiek Bun Chhay's former adviser, sentenced to 25-year jail and 100 million riels fine in drug lab bust

The accused were brought to court, among those was Chea Chung, Nhiek Bun Chhay's former adviser, who was sentenced to 25-year jail and fined 100 million riels (~$25,000) (Photo: Bunnak, Koh Santepheap)

Foreigners get 120 yrs jail in Cambodia drugs bust

Jan 11, 2008
AFP

PHNOM PENH - FOUR Chinese nationals and a Thai man arrested last year in Cambodia's largest-ever drugs bust have been jailed for a combined total of 120 years, a court official said on Friday.

The five were among 21 people seized in April, during a police raid on a massive drugs laboratory located on a plantation 50 kilometres from the capital Phnom Penh.

Police discovered two tonnes of chemicals used in the production of 'yaba', a cheap and potent methamphetamine widely used throughout Southeast Asia.

Another tonne of drug-making chemicals was later found in Phnom Penh.

The Thai, along with three Chinese men, were sentenced on Thursday to 25 years each, Judge Iv Kimsry said, adding that a Chinese woman was jailed for 20 years.

A sixth suspect who has fled to Thailand was jailed in absentia for life, he said.

'The court found them guilty for involvement in illegal drug production,' the Judge said. 'It's the largest drug trial ever seen in Cambodia.'

Fourteen Cambodians also arrested at the scene were acquitted after the court determined that they had been tricked into thinking they were employed to spray chemicals on farmland, Judge Iv Kimsry said.

April's bust was the first evidence of large-scale drugs production in Cambodia, which is an increasingly popular trafficking point for narcotics after neighbouring Thailand toughened its stance on illegal drugs in 2002.

Cambodian drug case suspects released on bail

September 03, 2007

The 14 Cambodia's Kompong Speu province men arrested following the April 1 raid on an illicit drug production lab in Phnom Sruoch district have been released, though they have not been cleared of the charges against them, local media reported Monday.

The men were granted bail after an Aug. 27 appeal to Phnom Penh Municipal Court by provincial Governor Kang Heang, but the paperwork securing their release was only finalized Friday, Chan Soveth, investigator for the rights group Adhoc, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying.

Adhoc transported the men by van from Prey Sar prison back to their families in Treng Trayoeng commune Saturday, Chan Soveth said.

Chan Soveth also appealed to the court to expedite the case of the 14, who claim they had only been employed for one hour prior to their arrest at the lab and had no knowledge of illegal activity.

On April 1, Cambodian police arrested 18 people during raids in Phnom Penh and Treng Trayoeng commune in Kompong Speu's Phnom Sruoch district, confiscating about 5.8 tons of precursor chemicals, which are technically estimated to be used for manufacturing one ton of methamphetamine.

Source: Xinhua

Nhiek Bun Chhay proposes the closing of NRP radio program

Friday, August 31, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Nhiek Bun chhay, Funcinpec secretary-general, proposed to Mam Sonando, the manager of Sambok Khmum (Beehive) radio station, to temporarily stop the “voice of the royalists” program after a NRP made a comment during this program, accusing him of being involved in the illegal drug production in Kompong Speu. In a letter sent on Tuesday, Nhiek Bun Chhay who is also the government vice-prime minister, said that the 1-hour program, in which Noranarith Anandayath is its commentator, criticized him and provided explanations that are contrary to the events by trying to link him (Nhiek Bun Chhay) to the (Kompong Speu) drug problem. In this letter, Nhiek Bun Chhay proposed to Mam Sonando to temporarily stop this program because it severely affects his name and his honor, and he is also preparing to bring a lawsuit in this case, in order to seek justice, soon. Noranarith Anandayath said that Funcinpec wants to silence the NRP voice, but he said that he will stop discussing about Nhiek Bun Chhay on the airwave.

Nhiek Bun Chhay plans to sue two local newspapers for defamation

30 August 2007
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Nhiek Bun Chhay, vice-prime minister and Funcinpec secretary-general, claimed that the he is currently preparing lawsuits – to be sent to the Phnom Penh municipal court in the near future – against two newspapers for defaming him. He accused the two newspapers of publishing false information which affected his honor.

The two Khmer-language daily newspapers he plant to sue are: Samleng Yuvachon Khmer (Voice of Khmer Youth), and Khmer Amatak (Eternal Khmer).

Nhiek Bun Chhay told RFA on Wednesday that he is currently preparing the complaints so that his lawyer can hand them over to the Phnom Penh municipal court shortly.

Nhiek Bun Chhay said: “I have prepared these complaints, and maybe tomorrow or so, I will hand in the complaints because these NRP-supporting newspapers publish false information. Samleng Yuvachon and Khmer Amatak publish today information which affected me.”

He clarified that he has the full freedom to travel outside of the country as normal, and that there is no (travel) restriction (imposed on him) by the authority as a number of newspapers reported recently: “This information is false, I went to Thailand and I just came back. In a day or two, I will leave (to overseas) again.”

Regarding the plan to sue the 2 newspapers, Liev Sovanna, a defense lawyer involved in the lawsuit brought up by Prince Ranariddh, said that he did not receive the request from Nhiek Bun Chhay yet, but that he will handle these lawsuits as soon as Nhiek Bun Chhay will ask him to. He indicated that in his position as a lawyer, he has no political preference: “I did not yet receive Nhiek Bun Chhay’s request, maybe, he didn’t request yet.”

Reacting to Nhiek Bun Chhay’s lawsuits plan, Keo Sothea, the editor of the Samleng Yuvachon Khmer said: “If it involves an actual mistake, I will issue a correction or clarification.”

Bun Tha, editor of Khmer Amatak, reacted by saying: “We already know about the drug case, when (the story) is published, he must send a written clarification letter, not just for newspapers, but for the general public. In Cambodia, the drug issue is very stinky, it is a very bad issue.”

On 01 April 2007, a joint police force raided and confiscated about 6 tons of raw material used in drug production, in Treng Troyeung commune, Phnom Sruoch district, Kompong Speu province, and also in Phnom Penh, and the authority arrested 18 people during the raid: 14 Cambodian citizens and 4 foreigners.

In August, the authority arrested 2 important suspects: Oum Chhay who was the advisot of the National Assembly President Heng Samrin, but he committed suicide by jumping down a building on 21 August; and Chea Chung, the owner of the land and the farm where the raw drug material was stored. Chea Chung is known as the former advisor of Nhiek Bun Chhay.

US Official Pushes for Prosecution of Drug Suspects

Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Kampong Speu
30 August 2007

The suspects arrested in an April raid of a drugs lab in Kampong Speu province need to be prosecuted, but a case against them should be legal and proper, a US political officer said.

Jennifer Spande, who attended a ceremony where drug-making chemicals was destroyed Thursday, said the US was counting on Cambodia's emerging rule of law to fairly prosecute the men behind the methamphetamine production.

"Certainly we would hope that the trial would be speedy and that it would be impartial," she said, adding that the suspects should have competent defense.

The April raid led to the arrest of a handful of workers at the drug lab in Kampong Speu province, as well as at least two suspected ring leaders. One of those, Oum Chhay, apparently leapt to his death from a police building in Phnom Penh during interrogation. A second man, Chea Long, is still under arrest.

Approximately 2.8 kilograms of six different drug-making chemicals were burned in the ceremony Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Keng Savong, deputy director of the national anti-drug authority, said authorities would continue pursuit of the drug production "criminal group" and "send it to the court in the near future."

UN Office on Drug and Crime representative Lars Pedersen said he was encouraged by the commitment government authorities showed in the drugs clean-up.

NRP Denies Starting Rumor of Funcinpec Drug Link

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 August 2007

Top officials of the Norodom Ranariddh Party Wednesday denied claims by a Funcinpec officer they had circulated rumors of Gen. Nhiek Bun Chhay's involvement in a huge drug production ring.

Nhiek Bun Chhay's involvement in a huge drug production ring. Nhiek Bun Chhay, Funcinpec's secretary-general, has said he is the victim of a smear campaign, following the recent arrest of his former aid on drugs charges.

The aid, Chea Long, was arrested this month on charges stemming from a raid on a drug "super lab" in April, which yielded a seizure of nearly 5 tons of drug-making material.

Since Chea Long's arrest, his link as a former adviser has been circulated in NRP-friendly media, Nhiek Bun Chhay said this week, prompting the latest row between the fractured royalists.

NRP spokesman Muth Chantha called Nhiek Bun Chhay's allegations groundless.

Court plans to release 14 people arrested during the Kompong Speu drug lab raid

Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Phnom Penh municipal court plans to temporarily release 14 people from jail, based on the request and the vouching by the Kompong Speu authority. The 14 have been jailed for the past 5 months because they are suspected of being involved in the drug production in Kompong Speu. Chiv Keng, president of the Phnom Penh court, told RFA on Tuesday that the court investigation found that the 14 were victims of a cheating by drug producing criminals. Chiv Keng said that the Kompong Speu authority is vouching for their temporary release. Chiv keng said that the court could allow this requested release because these laborers are poor people who did not know anything about the drug issue. Chiv keng did not confirm the date when the 14 will be released, he only said that they will be released soon.

Nhiek Bun Chhay Denies Drug Production Accusations

Funcinpec General Denies Drug Production Accusations
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
28 August 2007

Gen. Nhiek Bun Chhay, the secretary-general of Funcinpec, met with members of the press Tuesday to deny allegations he was involved in Cambodia's biggest methamphetamine lab bust.

Rumors have circulated in Cambodia's press that the Funcinpec officer had a professional link to a man now being held in the case, Chea Chong.

Nhiek Bun Chhay denied this link, blaming instead political provocateurs for the rumor.

The allegations and rumors stem from an April raid on a drug "super lab" that yielded a handful of suspects and nearly 5 tons of drug-production chemicals.

Oum Chhay, a high-profile suspect in the production ring, apparently leapt from a building while in custody earlier this month, killing himself.

US Adds More Money for Drug Bust Clean-Up

An American anti-drug expert Rogert Bruce tests during the launch of the cleanup of the clandestine metaphetamine laboratory at Kampong Speu province some 68 kilometers (42 miles) southwestern of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007. Officials began destroying Cambodia's largest seizure of drug-making chemicals Thursday, while acknowledging that the country has moved from being a transit point to a producer of illegal drugs. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
22 August 2007

The US government announced Wednesday a donation of $80,000 to help Cambodia destroy nearly 5 tons of drug-making material seized in a raid earlier this year.

The contribution put the total US effort for the clean-up at $140,000, a US Embassy statement said.

Cambodian authorities discovered a so-called "super lab" for methamphetamine pills in Kampong Speu in April, leading to numerous arrests and the seizure of potentially lethal chemicals used in drug production.

"The United States applauds the work of the Ministry of the Interior, including the National Authority for Combating Drugs, the Anti-Drug Police, provincial police, and other officials in discovering the methamphetamine lab, arresting the suspects, and securing the scene," the embassy statement said.

"The discovery of a large methamphetamine lab in Kampong Speu marks a significant change in Cambodia's growing drug problem," the statement said. "Now, in addition to being a transit and consumption country, we have evidence that Cambodia is a country where drugs are also produced. This development only serves to underscore the seriousness of the drug issue here."

With the help of the US and the UN, authorities have already begun destroying the meth-making material, including nearly 3 tons of "highly dangerous" thionyl chloride, a second US Embassy statement said.

The US contribution was welcome in an expensive endeavor, Interior Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Khieu Sopheak said.

"We have to spend money to buy substances to detoxify and then we put the poison to waste," he said. "The important expenses are made on taking raw materials and detoxifying the chemicals as components to make the drugs."

April's raid led to the arrest earlier this month of Oum Chhay, a high-ranking figure alleged to be involved in the drug-production operation.

Oum Chhay fell to his death Monday. Police said he lept from the building in an apparent suicide while officers on duty were using the restroom.

A second man arrested in connection with the drugs, Chea Chong, is being held for questioning at Prey Sar prison.

Chea Chung, Nhiek Bun Chhay’s former advisor, arrested for drug production

Saturday, August 18, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A former advisor of Nhiek Bun Chhay was arrested by the police on 14 August 2007 and charged with involvement in illegal drug production in Kompong Speu province. The Rasmei Kampuchea reported that Chea Chung was arrested by the police when he returned back from Vietnam to Cambodia. Chea Chung was sent to the Ministry of Interior for additional questioning on a number of issues in order to find out about additional leaders and accomplices. On 01 April, the police raided a large drug lab at a cow farm owned by Chea Chung, a former advisor of Nhiek Bun Chhay. One of the drug labs is located in Treng Troyoeung commune, Phnom Sruoch district, Kompong Speu province, and the other one is located in Tuol Svay Prey commune, Chamcar Mon district, Phnom Penh city. Regarding this drug affair, a group of police officers also arrested Oknha Oum Chhay, an advisor of Heng Samrin, president of the National Assembly, on 15 August, at the Poipet international border gate, located in O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.

Heng Samrin: My advisor, the oknha, only transported the raw material to produce methamphetamine ... he is not deeply involved in the case -sic!-

Oum Chhay (L) is an advisor to Heng Samrin (R) (Photo: Sralanh Khmer newspaper)

Heng Samrin’s advisor arrested in drug-lab case

Friday, August 17, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

An oknha (rich businessman who purchased this honorific title for $100,000) who is the advisor of Heng Samrin, the president of the National Assembly, was arrested by the Banteay Meanchey provincial police on 15 August, at the Poipet international border gate. He is accused of being involved in a drug case. The Cambodia Daily quoted Khieu Sopheak, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, saying that Oknha Oum Chhay, president of the Chhay Chhay Investment, and president of the Banteay Meanchey chamber of commerce, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon for helping the transportation of raw chemical material to produce methamphetamine drug in Kompong Speu province. Heng Samrin confirmed to The Cambodia Daily that indeed Oum Chhay is one of his advisors. However, Heng Samrin downplayed the arrest, saying that Oum Chhay has only a minor role in the (Kompong Speu) drug-lab. Heng Samrin said that Oum Chhay is only held for questioning and that he is not deeply involved in the case. A major drug lab located in Treng Troyoeung commune, Phnom Sruoch district, Kompong Speu province was raided by the authority last 01 April.