After a major crackdown in Phnom Penh led to the arrest of 250 people and the closure of 2 nightclubs 2 weeks ago, Phnom Penh Police say they will continue the fight against the menace of Nitrous Oxide aka ‘happy balloons”.
Speaking on November the 16th, the spokesman of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, Colonel Sam Vicheka state that: “By following the instructions of General Sar Thet, The National Police Commissioner General, under the direct command of Lt. Gen. Chuon Narin, Deputy Commissioner General and Phnom Penh Municipal Police Commissioner, has taken strict measures to all targets in Phnom Penh to search for targets to be cracked down on regarding the use of Nitrous Oxide and to prohibit this.
The spokesman emphasized that with the cooperation between the specialized force of the National Police and the local competent force of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, the craze of inhaling the drug has been cracked down on.
He added that Phnom Penh police have focused on educating about the effects of this type of drug to nightclub owners and customers
General Mak Chito, Deputy Commissioner General of the National Police, recently called on the public, especially young men and women, not to try or use Nitrous Oxide, because it can cause serious damage to nerves, blood vessels and cause loss of consciousness, heart attack and even death.
The Deputy Commissioner of the National Police also asked the public to cooperate with the authorities to maintain the health, well-being and future of all children by reporting on all locations where there is stockpiling and distribution of Nitrous Oxide,
Earlier this month, General Mak stated that the anti-drug department at the Ministry of Interior will include nitrous oxide on the list of controlled substances as authorities consider the compound dangerous to people’s health.
“After we have included nitrous oxide on the list of narcotic drugs, those who use nitrous oxide or any owner of an entertainment establishment who sells nitrous oxide will face legal action,” Gen Chito said.
Scenes from a recent raid:
