The arrest follows a coordinated operation directed by Major General Pech Vira and supervised by Brigadier General Keo Sotha, targeting cross-border drug trafficking networks.
The Cambodian police authorities have arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian man, identified as Madu Daniel Sopuru, for allegedly trafficking nearly 10kg of narcotics.
The arrest follows a coordinated operation directed by Major General Pech Vira and supervised by Brigadier General Keo Sotha, targeting cross-border drug trafficking networks.
The operation reportedly took place on Monday, July 1, 2024, around 11:30 PM, resulting in the suspect's arrest at midnight in Otamo village, Monorom Commune, Svay Rieng province, while he was smuggling illicit drugs.
The suspect was found to be in possession of an expired passport (number A06478250) and had no verifiable occupation or residence.
During the raid, authorities confiscated 6,954.68 grams (6.95 kg) of heroin, 2,868.09 grams (2.87 kg) of methamphetamine, one passport, two mobile phones, and one black shoulder bag containing the illicit substances.
"A total of 9.82 kg of heroin and crystal methamphetamine was confiscated from the suspect's possession during the raid," the National Police said on its website on Thursday, July 4.
"The suspect has been sent to the Svay Rieng Provincial Court for prosecution."
The Southeast Asian country has no death sentence for drug trafficking. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs could be imprisoned for life.
The Anti-Drug Department reported that during the January-June period of 2024, the kingdom detained 11,780 suspects involved in drug-related activities, including over 300 foreigners of 13 nationalities. They confiscated a total of 5.01 tons of illicit drugs.
The majority of the confiscated substances included heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, and cocaine.