The Anti-Drug Department broke up a drug trafficking operation in the capital’s Sen Sok district in a Sunday raid, with three suspects taken into custody and nearly 300 kilogrammes of narcotics and precursors seized, along with packaging and manufacturing materials.

However, a follow-up action caused confusion among the public after two individuals were seen being forced into a car by plainclothes officers.

Several citizens filmed the March 9 incident and posted it to social media, claiming that the officer’s behaviour was “brutal”.

Following the interrogation of the individuals arrested in the initial raid, officers tracked their accomplices to the south of the city, in Dnagkor district’s Prek Kampus commune.

It was here that the disputed incident took place; with plainclothes officers filmed forcing two suspects into a vehicle.

The Anti-Drug Department’s Rapid Response Team issued a March 10 clarification, explaining that the pair who were taken into to custody matched descriptions given by the three suspects who were arrested earlier.

They also attempted to flee when they saw the authorities approaching, explained the notice.

After questioning, it was determined that the two were drug users, but were not involved in the Sen Sok manufacturing operation.

The authorities reiterated that the filming and posting of videos and photos accusing the police officers of misconduct creates unnecessary public debate and negatively affected the reputation of the police force. 

They also noted that such actions can compromise ongoing investigations by leaking confidential information.

The Rapid Response team urged all social media users and the media to immediately correct any misinformation they may have posted or published regarding this case.