Mr. Mean Vutha, former chief of Chambok Police Post in Bati District, exposes irregularities surrounding a controversial drug-related case.

Takeo Province: According to Koh Santepheap News, a drug-related crackdown that took place one year ago uncovered irregularities, eventually leading to the transfer of three police officers from Chambak Administrative Police Post to work at the Takeo Provincial Police Commissariat. The case prompted Mr. Mean Vuttha, the former Chief of Chambak Administrative Police Post, to publicly speak out on social media in an effort to seek justice and demand that former leaders of the Bati District Police Inspectorate take responsibility. Mr. Mean Vuttha stated that on August 7, 2025, his police post conducted a drug crackdown at the “Raksa Pich” Guesthouse, located in Trapeang Lean Village, Chambak Commune, Bati District, Takeo Province. Three suspects were arrested, namely Oun Narak, a 25-year-old male; Mean Makara, a 25-year-old male; and Vannak Tongheng, a 19-year-old male. The authorities also confiscated one package of suspected narcotics and three mobile phones. Subsequently, the evidence and all three suspects were handed over to the specialized unit of the Bati District Police Inspectorate for further legal proceedings. However, the subsequent procedures were allegedly irregular. The suspect named Mean Makara was released, while Oun Narak was sent to a rehabilitation center. Later, after information about the scandal was leaked, officials from the district police inspectorate reportedly went to retrieve Oun Narak from the rehabilitation center and transferred him to the Takeo Provincial Prison for detention. The former police post chief further stated that, before a higher-level inspection team came to investigate the case, officials from the district police inspectorate instructed him to falsely report that the suspect, Mean Makara, had escaped from the police post because there was only one pair of handcuffs, which could be used to restrain only two people. At the time, the district police inspectorate allegedly assured him that it would take full responsibility if any problems arose. Nevertheless, after the inspection was completed, he and two other subordinate officers were instead transferred to the Takeo Provincial Police Commissariat by a decision of their superiors. This left him deeply dissatisfied, as he believed that he had been treated very unfairly. Regarding the matter, Mr. Mean Vuttha called on Mr. Chhay Kaev Monny, the former Chief of the Bati District Police Inspectorate, and Mr. Huot Saokun, the Deputy Police Inspector responsible for the Anti-Drug Unit, to come forward and take responsibility before the law and their superiors. He claimed that his previous statements had only been made according to the orders given by the two officials. Regarding this case, Mr. Chhay Kaev Monny, the former Chief of the Bati District Police Inspectorate, could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, Mr. Huot Saokun, Deputy Chief of the Bati District Police Inspectorate, briefly stated that he has superiors and commanders, and therefore he cannot do anything without receiving orders.