In brief
The Cambodian Anti‑Drug Department announced a 16.3 % increase in arrests but a 1.2‑ton drop in narcotic seizures between January and October 2026. More than 25,000 suspects—nearly half traffickers, the rest users—were detained, including 1,248 foreigners. Seized drugs fell from 5.48 tons to 4.26 tons, while 73 guns and 27 homemade rifles were also confiscated. The data highlight the ongoing policy of intensified enforcement without capital punishment.
In Phnom Phnom, the Cambodian government reported a 16.3 % rise in drug‑related arrests during the first ten months of 2026, while the total amount of seized narcotics decreased by 1.2 tons compared with the same period in 2025.
The Anti‑Drug Department (ADP) released the figures on Sunday, noting that authorities detained 25,360 suspects from January to October, up from 21,800 in 2025. Foreign nationals accounted for 1,248 of those arrested, representing 25 different nationalities.
Of the suspects, 48.3 % were classified as traffickers, manufacturers, possessors or transporters, while 51.7 % were recorded as drug users. The ADP’s report highlighted that the crackdown targeted both vendors and consumers alike.
Authorities confiscated 4.26 tons of illicit drugs and 537 kilograms of dry cannabis during the same period. This was a decline from the 5.48 tons of narcotics and 516 kilograms of dry marijuana seized in 2025. The confiscated narcotics largely consisted of ketamine, ecstasy, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, cocaine and cathinone.
Other seized evidence included 73 pistols and 27 homemade rifles. The report said the confiscated weapons were part of an effort to curb the link between drug trafficking and firearms distribution.
While Cambodia does not impose the death penalty for drug offenses, the country’s law allows life imprisonment for those convicted of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs.
Officials said the data reflect a strategic shift toward a more aggressive enforcement regime that increases the number of arrests even as the quantity of drugs seized trends downward. The higher arrest figures indicate intensified patrols and surveillance, whereas the reduced seizures suggest either a depletion of available drug stocks or a diversion of traffickers to alternative routes.
Foreign nationals arrested demonstrate Cambodia’s jurisdiction over transnational drug operations that involve citizens from around the world. The report does not disclose the nationalities of the offenders, but the diversity of 25 different countries underlines the international nature of the supply chains.
The ADP’s findings come amid growing concerns about drug abuse across the region, with neighboring countries experiencing similar challenges. Authorities have previously warned that the crackdown may strain resources and require continued international cooperation to address the flows of illicit substances.
Despite the decreasing quantity of seized drugs, the increased arrest rate suggests that enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and apprehend users. The balance between policing and preventive measures remains a central point of discussion among policymakers and public health officials.
