In a significant anti-drug operation, Cambodian police have arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian man, Madu Daniel Sopuru, for allegedly trafficking nearly 10 kg of narcotics. Acting on strict orders from Major General Pech Vira, the Provincial Police Commissioner, and under the direct command of Brigadier General Keo Sotha, Deputy Commissioner for Anti-Drug Operations, local enforcement agencies conducted a coordinated effort to combat cross-border drug trafficking.
The operation took place on Monday, July 1, 2024, at approximately 11:30 pm. It resulted in the arrest of the suspect at midnight in Otamo village, Monorom Commune in Svay Rieng province. Sopuru was caught while smuggling the illicit drugs and was found in possession of an expired passport (number A06478250). He 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.
Cambodia has no death sentence for drug trafficking. However, under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs could be imprisoned for life. According to the Anti-Drug Department, the kingdom detained 11,780 drug-related suspects, including more than 300 foreigners from 13 nationalities, during the January-June period of 2024, seizing a total of 5.01 tons of illicit drugs. Most of the seized drugs were heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, and cocaine.
