Cambodia has formally distanced itself from a major drug bust in Indonesia, after a shipment of about 1.3 tonnes of ketamine was found in sacks labelled with Khmer rice brand names.

Indonesian authorities said the narcotics were intercepted by the Indonesian Navy on a vessel that had departed Thailand. The ship was stopped on August 6 as it entered Indonesian territory, and the following day investigators uncovered 65 sacks containing substances later confirmed to be ketamine, with an estimated street value of $116 million.

Eight people were arrested in connection with the seizure, including seven from Myanmar and one from Taiwan. Indonesian police have said they are still investigating the port of departure, the intended final destination, and the identities of the senders and recipients.

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The case drew attention in Cambodia because the drugs were packed in bags printed with Khmer text reading “Natural Rice Neang Minh” and “Neang Khon Rice.” The seizure also came after an earlier Indonesian operation that intercepted 3.37 tonnes of cannabis shipped from Thailand.

Meas Vyrith, secretary-general of Cambodia’s National Authority for Combating Drugs, rejected any suggestion that the shipment originated in Cambodia or was linked to syndicates previously dismantled in the kingdom.

“We have no new information regarding any recent transnational drug trafficking networks, as our law enforcement forces have successfully suppressed and cut off these lines and networks consecutively in recent times,” he told The Post.

He added that authorities remain focused on monitoring organised transnational criminal groups through cooperation and intelligence exchanges with foreign anti-drug units. Regarding the misleading packaging, he said criminals often choose materials based on availability, their own perceptions, or as recognisable signals, and sometimes to deceive inspectors. He stressed that the key factors are the real source of the drugs and the means of transportation used.

Source: Phnom Penh Post