Recently, police from the Internal Security Department at the Ministry of Interior apprehended more than 300 individuals. The suspects are Chinese and Vietnamese nationals. They are suspected of being involved in an illegal online gambling operation in Cambodia.
Lieutenant Colonel Vong Kimlong, Deputy Chief of the Internal Security Police Office, said that police raided a high-rise building at Meanchey Apartment. The raid was led by a court’s deputy prosecutor. The building, owned by a group of Chinese businesspeople, is located in Stung Meanchey III commune, Phnom Penh‘s Meanchey district. The raid took place around 1pm on Sunday, leading to the suspects’ arrest.
The police identified the location after an investigation. The investigation revealed that many foreign nationals, especially Chinese, lived there. However, authorities never allowed them to leave the apartment building.
Authorities suspected that occupants in the building were drug users, kidnapped, or possibly trafficked. As a result, police obtained a warrant from the court prosecutor to search the building.
Lt. Col. Kimlong said that police apprehended the suspects after raiding the apartments. The suspects stayed and worked there, and authorities suspected them of running an online gambling operation.
He added that after the operation, police confiscated evidence like laptops, computers, mobile phones and other related material. Authorities sent the group to the General Department of Immigration in the Ministry of Interior for questioning and further investigations.
He stated that authorities will prosecute and punish individuals who violate the law according to legal procedures after completing the investigation. Nonetheless, officials will deport those who are not found guilty of any wrongdoing but lack proper documentation to live and work in Cambodia.
