The Phnom Penh Municipal Gendarmerie have busted a Phnom Penh pornography operation. The raid saw 12 suspects taken into custody.

The authorities explained that the group were producing and distributing – as well as live-streaming – pornographic content.

Rath Sreang, commander of the Municipal Gendarmerie, explained that the operation took place on June 4 at a flat located along Street 242, in Prampi Makara district’s Boeung Prolit commune. The 12 suspects included six Chinese nationals, five Cambodians and a Malaysian.

Computers, condoms and a range of sex toys were seized during the raid.

Sreang said the 12 suspects were sent to court on June 6. It was unclear how long they had been producing pornographic content for.

The raid took place in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district. Rath Sreang

He confirmed that he ordered the raid, in coordination with Seng Mengsrun, deputy prosecutor at Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

The Kingdom’s Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation explained that anyone who possesses, distributes, sells, rents, displays, screens or publicly shows pornographic images shall face a term of imprisonment of from 7 days to 1 month and a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 riel ($25 to $50).

The production of pornographic images or materials carries a prison term of from 1 month to 1 year and a fine of 100,000 ($25) to 2,000,000 riels ($500). If children are involved, a sentence of up to ten years may be imposed.

The suspects are accused of producing and distributing pornographic material. Rath Sreang