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

Cambodia finishes neutralizing hazardous drug lab chemicals

Symbolic burning of the chemical products by the participants in the ceremony (Photo: Bunry, Koh Santepheap)

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- About three tons of the most hazardous chemical found by police at a Cambodia's Kompong Speu province drug production lab have been neutralized and disposed of, local media reported Friday.

"I am relieved that the first phase of the cleanup has been completed," Lars Pedersen, officer in charge of project office for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was quoted by the Cambodia Daily newspaper as saying.

According to a statement issued Wednesday by the UNDOC, 25 tons of reagent chemicals and 15 tons of water were used to neutralize 3.2 tons of thionyl chloride, a highly corrosive chemical that could explode if it comes into contact with water.

In the second phase of the chemical cleanup, 550 kg of acetone and 1.4 tons of other chemicals will be disposed of through incineration, the statement said.

The chemicals, said to be precursors for the production of amphetamines, were discovered during a police raid in April and are being disposed of by the UNODC and the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) of Cambodia, the newspaper said.

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.

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.

Cambodian official commits suicide over alleged involvement in drug case

August 22, 2007

Om Chhay, adviser for Cambodian National Assembly President Heng Samrin, committed suicide here on Tuesday morning during police detention over alleged involvement in drug case, officials said.

"I knew that Om Chhay died," Phnom Penh's Deputy Prosecutor Sok Kalyan said after conducting the autopsy of Om Chhay's body.

Om Chhay, also president of the Bantey Meanchey Provincial Commercial Chamber, killed himself by jumping off the building of the anti-drug authority of the Interior Ministry, leading to serious damage of his back and head, an official said on condition of anonymity.

At noon, the body of Om Chhay was handed over to his family for funeral ceremony.

Heng Samrin left for Malaysia on Monday and had denied any knowledge about Om Chhay's connection with the case.

According to Cambodian-language newspaper the Raksmey Kampuchea, Om Chhay was arrested on Aug. 15 near the border with Thailand, for being allegedly involved in the drug production case in Kompong Speu province, where the Cambodian police staged a raid on April 1 and arrested 18 people.

The chemicals found in the drug lab there were destroyed on Aug. 16. With the materials, over 54 million U.S. dollars worth of drugs could be produced.

In a related development, Chea Cheung, the alleged mastermind of the case, was arrested late on Tuesday in Savy Rieng province near the border with Vietnam and sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning, police officers said on condition of anonymity.

Chea was former adviser for Deputy Prime Minister Nhiek Bun Chhay, but Chhay denied any connection with him.

Source: Xinhua

Oum Chhay's apparent suicide (nobody allowed to see his body) and Chea Chung arrested (the next one to leap out of a window?)

Key Drug Suspect Plunges to His Death as Potential Ringleader Held

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

A key suspect in one of Cambodia's biggest drug cases fell to his death Tuesday morning from the window of the anti-drugs department building where he was being questioned, police said.

Police ruled the death of Oum Chhay a suicide and said his death made building their case against an alleged methamphetamine production ring more difficult.

"The authorities regret the event, because he did give some answers," said Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak. "We are continuing our work, but losing Mr. Oum Chhay makes our investigation incomplete. The confession of the victim in his answers [to our interrogation] could have helped us finish our work."

Om Chhay lept from the building when the policemen who were watching him took a break to use the toilet, Khieu Sopheak said.

Oum Chhay was arrested last week on charges stemming from a drugs-lab raid by national police earlier this year in Kampong Speu, which netted four tons of materials from a so-called "super lab" for methamphetamines.

Rights workers and journalists complained immediately they were not being given access to information or the body to independently confirm Oum Chhay's cause of death.

In fact, there were several questionable circumstances surrounding the case, said Chan Saveth a human rights investigator for the group Adhoc.

Oum Chhay was reported in the local media as an adviser to National Assembly President Heng Samrin, who is also the honorary president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party.

Police also late Tuesday they had arrested another highly sought suspect, Chea Chong. He was being held Tuesday at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh pending drug-production charges, police said.