In brief
The Anti‑Drug Department released figures showing a 16.3 percent increase in arrests with 25,360 suspects, yet total seized narcotics dropped to 4.26 tons, down from 5.48 tons in 2025. Foreign nationals accounted for 1,248 of the detainees. Authorities also confiscated dozens of firearms alongside the drugs.
In its latest Anti‑Drug Department report, Cambodia logged a 16.3 percent increase in drug arrests during the first 10 months of 2026, detaining 25,360 suspects, while the total amount of seized narcotics fell by 1.2 tons compared with the same period in 2025.
The arrest count rose from 21,800 in 2025 to 25,360, a 16.3 percent hike, and foreign nationals made up 1,248 of the detainees—representing 25 different nationalities—according to Xinhua.
Of the total suspects, 48.3 percent were classified as drug traffickers, manufacturers, possessors or transporters, while 51.7 percent were recorded as drug users. Authorities also confiscated 73 pistols and 27 homemade rifles.
According to the report,
Authorities confiscated 4.26 tons of illicit drugs and 537 kilograms of dry cannabis between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2026marking a decrease from the 5.48 tons of narcotics and 516 kilograms of dry marijuana seized in the same timeframe in 2025.
The confiscated narcotics largely consisted of ketamine, ecstasy, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, cocaine and cathinone.
