Thursday, 13 January 2011

Second General Arrested in Three Days in Phnom Penh

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 12 January 2011

via CAAI

Photo: AP
Cambodian officers burn nearly three tones of various drug making substances, which were seized in raids earlier this year in eastern and southern Cambodia.

"Another high-ranking official was arrested Wednesday in connection to alleged drug offenses."

Another high-ranking official was arrested Wednesday in connection to alleged drug offenses, officials said.

Three-star general Moeuk Dara, who is secretary-general of the the National Authority to Combat Drugs, was put under arrest by the Ministry of Interior after he was asked to come in for questioning. Also arrested was Chea Leng, a colonel, head of the Ministry of Interior office for combatting drugs.

Officials declined to give details or say whether that arrest was connected to the detention Monday of Hun Hean, former police chief of Banteay Meanchey province.

Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the arrest was made with cooperation between the ministry and the new Anti-Corruption Unit.

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith confirmed the detention but declined to give further detail.

Cambodia has grown in recent years from a transit country for illicit drugs to a place where they are produced. In 2010, police cracked down in 320 cases, arresting 638 suspects, including 63 foreigners, according to official figures.

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