CAMBODIA

Emerging trends and concerns

•• Transnational and Asian trafficking groups continue to target Cambodia as a source, transit and desti- nation country for amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and other illicit . •• The availability and use of in pill and crystalline form continues to expand. A large and growing majority of persons arrested for drug-related offences or persons submitted for drug treatment in- volve methamphetamine. •• Crystalline methamphetamine and cocaine seizures in Cambodia in 2012 are the highest ever reported from the country.

Overview of the drug situation There is continued increase in the availability and use of methamphetamine in pill and crystalline form. In The manufacture, trafficking and use of ATS is signifi- 2012, record amounts of crystalline methamphetamine cant and is becoming increasingly problematic in Cam- and cocaine were seized in Cambodia. bodia. Drug law enforcement authorities continue to dismantle a significant number of facilities that illicitly manufacture methamphetamine or produce precursor Patterns and trends of drug use chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA. In 2012, several ATS manufacturing fa- There are no consistent statistics available on the ex- cilities were dismantled, most of which were located in act number of drug users in Cambodia. In 2012, the Phnom Penh. National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) estimated the number of drug users in Cambodia at Transnational organized criminal groups, particularly 4,057.2 However, in March 2013, NACD officials sug- from Asia and West Africa, continue to use Cambodia to gested that the number of drug users was considerably manufacture and transit ATS, their precursor chemicals, higher and likely to be in excess of 10,000.3 In recent and other illicit drugs such as cocaine and . The years, illicit drug use, previously primarily concentrated illicit harvesting and export of safrole-rich oils (SRO),1 in urban areas, has expanded to rural parts of the coun- which can be used as a precursor for MDMA, remains try, particularly in provinces adjacent to Lao People’s an environmental and law enforcement concern. Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Thailand.4

2 ‘Summary Report on the Control of Drug Related Matters’, National 1 Safrole is a substance listed in Table 1 of the United Nations Con- Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), presented at the Twenty- vention Against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic third Anti-Drug Liaison Officials’ Meeting for International Coopera- Substances of 1988, as well as in the Cambodia’s Drug Law. The Inter- tion (ADLOMICO), Jeju, Republic of Korea, 26-28 June 2013. national Narcotics Control Board defines safrole-rich oils as being ‘any 3 ‘MINI Dublin Group Cambodia’, United Nations Office on Drugs and mixtures or natural products containing safrole present in such a way Crime (UNODC), Phnom Penh, April 2013. that it can be used or recovered by readily applicable means’; ‘Precur- 4 Cambodia country report, International Narcotics Control Strategy Re- sors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic port (INCSR), Bureau of International Narcotics Law Enforcement Af- drugs and psychotropic substances 2008’, International Narcotics Con- fairs, U.S. Department of State (Accessed at: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/ trol Board (INCB), Vienna, February 2009. rls/nrcrpt/2012/vol1/184098.htm; date accessed: 23 August 2012). Embargoed: 8 November 2013 - 11h00 ICT (Bangkok) 53 Global SMART Programme 2013

Table 28. Rank of primary drugs of concern in Cambodia, 2008-2012 Drug type 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Methamphetamine pills ● 2 1 2 2 Crystalline methamphetamine ● 1 2 1 1 Ecstasy ● ● ● 6 ● herb ● ● 4 4 4 Heroin ● ● 3 5 ● Inhalants ● ● ● 3 3 ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; ‘Country Report of Drug Situation in Cambodia’, National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), presented at the Fifteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference (ADEC), Tokyo, 2-5 February 2010; Official communication with the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), 25 April 2012; Cambodia country presentation, National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), presented at the Global SMART Programme Regional Workshop, Jakarta, 28-29 August 2013

Table 29. Trend in use of selected drugs in Cambodia, 2008-2012 Drug type 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Methamphetamine pills ● ●    Crystalline methamphetamine ● ●    Ecstasy ● ● ●   Cannabis herb ● ● ●  ● Heroin ● ● ●  ● # = Increasing, $ = Decreasing, 1 = Stable, ● = Not reported Source(s): DAINAP; NACD, April 2012; NACD, August 2013

Injecting drug use reports of any other new psychoactive substance in use in Cambodia. Injecting drug use, including of methamphetamine, in Cambodia, continues to be on the rise.5 Accord- ing to the National AIDS Authority of Cambodia, Drug treatment HIV prevalence in 2011 was 24.1% for the estimated 1,900 injecting drug users in Cambodia.6 In 2012, Cambodia currently has 13 Temporary Centers for Drug the ‘National Population Size Estimation, HIV Preva- Education and Rehabilitation that are managed by Gov- lence and Related Risk Behaviors’ (under the auspice ernment Ministries and the civilian/military police, Min- of the NACD, Ministry of Health and AusAID), re- istry of Social Affairs and non-governmental organizations ported that HIV prevalence slightly increased among (NGOs).8 In 2012, a total of 1,162 drug users received injecting users to 24.8%. The same study reported a treatment and rehabilitation services at these centres, significant increase of approximately 4% in HIV in- most of which used crystalline methamphetamine (74%) fections among non-injecting drug users.7 and methamphetamine pills (15%). The majority (56%) of drug users at the centres were aged 18 to 25 years.9

New psychoactive substances However, international and government agencies are concerned that drug treatment centres in Cambodia do Over the past 5 years, there have been limited seizures not have sufficient treatment focus. International techni- of ketamine in Cambodia. Less than 0.5 kg of ket- cal experts working in the field have sought to address amine was seized in 2008; and just over 1 gram report- this gap by developing medical treatment services with edly seized annually up to 2012. There have been no the support of the Royal Government of Cambodia and

5 Op. cit. NACD, June 2013. 6 ‘Cambodia Country Progress Report: Monitoring the Progress towards 8 ‘Country Report on Drug Situation in Cambodia’, National Author- the Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV and ity for Combating Drugs (NACD), presented at the Seventeenth Asia- AIDS, Reporting Period January 2010-December 2011,’ National AIDS Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference (ADEC), Tokyo, Authority (NAA), Phnom Penh, 2012. 14-16 February 2012. 7 HAARP Steering Committee Meeting, Phnom Penh, April 2013. 9 Op. cit. NACD, August 2013. Embargoed: 8 November 2013 - 11h00 ICT (Bangkok) 54 CAMBODIA

the UN Country Team. This has led to the emergence of voluntary community-based treatment as an alternative Figure 20. Drug-related arrests in Cambo- to compulsory treatment centers. This approach, cham- dia, 2008-2012

pioned by the government and piloted in Banteay Man- 3,000 cheay Province, is showing promising results in reducing 2,500 2,381 drug dependence and providing healthcare among drug s st users. In 2012, community-based treatment services were 2,000 1,788 extended to Stung Treng and Battambang province. By rre 1,500 of a

the end of 2012, the Community-Based Treatment pro- er 1,000 gramme had provided training for 170 health officials mb 684 615

Nu 394 and provided ongoing treatment for an estimated 1,292 500 drug users, of which 1,085 (84%) were ATS users.10 0 20082009 2010 2011 2012 Source(s): DAINAP; ‘Brief Operaon Results of Cambodia Law Drug-related arrests, seizures and prices Enforcement in Combang Drugs 2012’, Naonal Authority for Combang Drugs (NACD), 2013 Drug-related arrests – Cambodia does not provide drug-related arrest data disaggregated by drug type. bodia remain low compared to other countries in the The total number of persons arrested for drug-related region. In 2012, a total of 1,373 ecstasy pills were offences in Cambodia decreased by 25% from 2,381 seized, marking an 83% decline from 2011 when persons in 2011 to 1,788 persons in 2012. These fig- 7,855 pills were seized.13 ures are still considerably higher than those recorded between 2006-2010, when an annual average of 517 The smuggling and diversion of precursor chemicals arrests were made.11 In recent years, most drug-related from licit trade channels continues to be a problem in arrests have been related to ATS use.12 Cambodia. In 2012, an estimated 52 tons of precur- sor chemicals were seized in the country.14 Drug seizures – During the past 3 years, crystalline methamphetamine seizures have increased signifi- Safrole-rich oils (SRO) continue to be illegally har- cantly in Cambodia. In 2012, a total of 33.5 kg of vested and sold in Cambodia. SRO have various licit crystalline methamphetamine was seized, marking a commercial uses in the perfume and pesticide indus- 75% increase since 2011, when 19.1 kg was seized. try, but are at risk of being diverted for the illicit man- This signifies the highest amount ever reported by ufacture of ecstasy. Cambodia is one of 3 countries in the country. Methamphetamine pill seizures declined the region (along with China and Viet Nam) known by about 53% from 238,994 pills seized in 2011 to to possess specific SRO production and trade regu- 112,723 pills in 2012. Ecstasy pill seizures in Cam- lation. In 2012, SRO seizures increased considerably

Table 30. Seizures of selected drugs in Cambodia, 2008-2012 Drug type Measurement 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Methamphetamine pills pills 116,772 137,249 82,746 238,994 112,723a Crystalline methamphetamine kg 1.9b 4.6 9.9 19.1 33.5 Ecstasy pills 33 3,352 1,056 7,855 1,373c Cannabis herb kg 5.0 3.8 1.2 210.2 2.4 Cocaine kg 0.2 1.0 0.9 1.1 41.0 Heroin kg 5.3 26.7 2.4 2.1 0.3 ● = Not reported/unspecified amount.a Reported as 61,170 methamphetamine pills plus 5,155.3 grams; converted into estimated pill equivalents at 100 mg per pill. bPlus a number of ‘small packs’ undefined weight.c Reported as 1,318 ecstasy pills plus 14.9 grams; converted into estimated pill equivalents of 250-300 mg per pill. Source(s): DAINAP; ‘Brief Operation Results of Cambodia Law Enforcement in Combating Drugs 2012’ (NACD), 2013

10 Op. cit. NACD, June 2013. 11 Op. cit. ‘Brief Operation Results of Cambodia Law Enforcement in 13 Op. cit. ‘Brief Operation Results of Cambodia Law Enforcement in Combating Drugs 2012’ (NACD), 2013. Combating Drugs 2012’ (NACD), 2013. 12 Op. cit. INCSR 2012. 14 Op. cit. NACD, August 2013. Embargoed: 8 November 2013 - 11h00 ICT (Bangkok) 55 Global SMART Programme 2013

Table 31. ATS prices in Cambodia (USD), sor chemicals, were linked to Chinese drug trafficking 2011-2012 organizations based in the Taiwan Province of Chi- 19 Drug type Measurement 2011 2012 na. Illicit SRO harvesting, commonly used as pre- cursors for ecstasy, remains a problem in Cambodia. Methamphetamine per pill 5 6 pills In May 2012, the police conducted a series of drug Crystalline per kg 60,000 60,000 raids and uncovered 6 illicit drug manufacturing sites methamphetamine in Phnom Penh including one clandestine laboratory Ecstasy per pill 9 25-30 which manufactured both methamphetamine and ec- Source(s): DAINAP; Cambodia country presentation, National Authority 20 for Combating Drugs (NACD), presented at the Global SMART Programme stasy. Authorities seized large quantities of substanc- Regional Workshop, Phnom Penh, 24-25 July 2012 es used in ecstasy and methamphetamine production including nearly 4,000 litres of SRO, most of which to about 13 tons15 from around 2.3 tons in 2011.16 was believed to be destined for onward trafficking to Previously, there had been an overall downward trend Canada via Viet Nam and China.21 in SRO seizures since the 42 tons seized in 2008: 14.2 tons in 2009 and 6.8 tons in 2010.17 Even though cannabis is illicitly cultivated in Cambo- dia, cultivation levels continue to decline.22 In 2012, a total of 41 kg of cocaine was seized in Cam- bodia, increasing significantly from the 1.1 kg seized Trafficking – Transnational organized criminal net- in 2011 and marking the highest total ever reported works from Asia and West Africa continue to target by the country.18 Prior to that, the largest amount of Cambodia as a major transit country for illicit drug cocaine seized in Cambodia had been 5.1 kg in 2006. and precursor chemical trafficking. Large quantities of A large share of cocaine smuggled into Cambodia is methamphetamine (in pill and crystalline form) and destined for Thailand and other markets in the region. heroin manufactured in Myanmar continue to be traf- ficked into Cambodia across its northeastern border Drug prices – The retail street price for one meth- from Lao PDR.23 Majority of the drugs, particularly amphetamine pill in Cambodia in 2012 was USD crystalline methamphetamine and heroin, are often 6, signifying a slight increase from the previous year. repackaged for further trafficking via overland routes The price for 1 kg of crystalline methamphetamine re- and with passenger plane couriers to neighbouring mained stable, at about USD 70,000. The street price countries (primarily Thailand and Viet Nam) and to for one ecstasy pill increased sharply, from USD 9 in other markets, in particular Australia. In addition, in- 2011 to about USD 25-30 in 2012 and is likely due to ternational airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap the declining availability of ecstasy in Cambodia. are being increasingly used as key trafficking points for both inbound and outbound illicit drug consign- ments.24 Between August and October 2012, a total Sources of illicit drugs of 12 persons were arrested in nine cases for attempt- ing to smuggle around 16 kg of crystalline metham- Large quantities of methamphetamine are domestical- phetamine and 41 kg of cocaine into the country. All ly manufactured; however due to the paucity of data the suspects were believed to have been recruited by the full extent of illicit drug manufacture in Cambo- African drug trafficking groups in Bangkok.25 In ad- dia is unknown. Over the last few years, Cambodian dition, several tons of precursor chemicals and drug authorities have dismantled almost 20 facilities that manufacturing equipment were smuggled via the Si- were manufacturing methamphetamine or producing hanoukville seaport and river ports in Phnom Penh precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of meth- in 2012.26 amphetamine and MDMA. Some of the dismantled facilities, including the seized consignments of precur- 19 Op. cit. NACD, July 2012. 20 Official communication with the National Authority for Combating 15 Ibid. Drugs (NACD), October 2012. 16 Cambodia country report, National Authority for Combating Drugs 21 Ibid. (NACD), presented at the Eighteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug 22 Op. cit. NACD, February 2013. Enforcement Conference (ADEC), Tokyo, 26-27 February 2013. 23 Op. cit. NACD, June 2013. 17 Ibid. 24 Op. cit. NACD, February 2012. 18 Op. cit. ‘Brief Operation Results of Cambodia Law Enforcement in 25 Op. cit. NACD, August 2013. Combating Drugs 2012’ (NACD), 2013. 26 Op. cit. NACD, June 2013. Embargoed: 8 November 2013 - 11h00 ICT (Bangkok) 56 CAMBODIA

Drug trafficking organizations continue to recruit women and minors to traffic illicit drugs to and via Cambodia. There has also been an increase in drug smuggling to Cambodia using express delivery postal services.27

Cocaine is smuggled into Cambodia by plane and by post from a number of countries in South America, North America, West Africa and Europe, to be ex- ported onwards to a third country along overland and air routes.28 Many arrested drug couriers had been recruited by West African drug trafficking orga- nizations. Some drug trafficking organizations from China, including the Taiwan Province of China, are mainly involved in ATS and heroin trafficking.29

In August 2012, 2 royal Cambodian army officers were arrested by the Cambodian Police for drug traf- ficking and approximately 85,000 methamphetamine pills and over 1 kg of ecstasy were seized.30

Forensic data

The average purity of methamphetamine pills de- creased from 15-28% in 2010 to 14-20% in 2011 and further to 3-19% in 2012. Crystalline metham- phetamine samples had purities ranging from 10-84% in 2012 decreasing from about 70-85% in the two previous years. The purity of ecstasy samples analyzed in 2011 and 2012 ranged from 17-40%.31

27 ‘Drug Enforcement Activities and Outcomes’, General Department of Cambodia Customs and Excise (CCE), presented at the World Customs Organization Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pa- cific Regional Seminar for Information Exchange to Fight against Drug Trafficking, Seoul, 16-18 April 2013. 28 Op. cit. NACD, February 2012; Op. cit. NACD, February 2013. 29 Op. cit. NACD, July 2012. 30 Cambodia country report, International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Bureau of International Narcotics Law Enforce- ment Affairs, U.S. Department of State (Accessed at: http://www.state. gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2013/vol1/204048.htm; date accessed: 10 July 2013). 31 Op. cit. NACD, August 2013. Embargoed: 8 November 2013 - 11h00 ICT (Bangkok) 57 Global SMART Programme 2013

Embargoed: 8 November 2013 - 11h00 ICT (Bangkok) 58