US Official Pushes for Prosecution of Drug Suspects

US Official Pushes for Prosecution of Drug Suspects
Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Kampong Speu
30 August 2007

The suspects arrested in an April raid of a drugs lab in Kampong Speu
province need to be prosecuted, but a case against them should be
legal and proper, a US political officer said.

Jennifer Spande, who attended a ceremony where drug-making chemicals
was destroyed Thursday, said the US was counting on Cambodia's
emerging rule of law to fairly prosecute the men behind the
methamphetamine production.

"Certainly we would hope that the trial would be speedy and that it
would be impartial," she said, adding that the suspects should have
competent defense.

The April raid led to the arrest of a handful of workers at the drug
lab in Kampong Speu province, as well as at least two suspected ring
leaders. One of those, Oum Chhay, apparently leapt to his death from a
police building in Phnom Penh during interrogation. A second man, Chea
Long, is still under arrest.

Approximately 2.8 kilograms of six different drug-making chemicals
were burned in the ceremony Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Keng Savong, deputy director of the national anti-drug
authority, said authorities would continue pursuit of the drug
production "criminal group" and "send it to the court in the near
future."

UN Office on Drug and Crime representative Lars Pedersen said he was
encouraged by the commitment government authorities showed in the
drugs clean-up.

.

Relevant Pages