A pre-dawn raid on December 4 in Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar district led to the arrest of 93 people, including 49 women, at a drug den operating under the guise of a “tea restaurant.” According to Lieutenant General Rath Sreang, deputy commander of the National Military Police and Commander of the Phnom Penh military police, the operation uncovered more than 400 packages of “mixed drugs” and 100 pipes, as well as other drug-related items. The suspects include Cambodian, Chinese, and Vietnamese nationals, and authorities say investigations are ongoing.

In a separate announcement, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued additional penalties against Vietnamese national Nguyen Van Ninh for his role in a major narcotics bust last year. Currently serving a 27-year sentence and fined 80 million riel (approximately $20,000), Van Ninh will be permanently banned from entering Cambodia upon completion of his prison term. His accomplice received a life sentence and a heftier fine, reflecting the country’s strict enforcement against drug trafficking and distribution.

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