A Change of Guard

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Thursday 18 June 2009

23 Nigerians arrested for international human and drug trafficking


One of the suspects arrested at the airport.

Source: Deum Ampil newspaper
Reported in Khmer by Khmerization

At least 23 Nigerian nationals have been arrested on 17th June in Phnom Penh for human and drug trafficking out of Cambodia, reports Deum Ampil.

One of the jackets that concealed the heroine tablets disguising as shirt buttons.

It is alleged that three Nigerians attempted to traffic heroine out of Pochentong Airport by disguising them as shirt buttons.

According to Deum Ampil, on the morning of 17th June, three Nigerian nationals went to Pochentong Airport to catch a plane overseas. At the airport, they asked a Cambodian man to mind their luggages for them. The Cambodian men became suspicious of the luggages and went to report to the airport officials. The three Nigerians became panic and tried to run away but were arrested by airport police. After thorough search, the police found 378 heroine tablets concealed and disguised as buttons on their African traditional jackets.

Twenty more Nigerians were arrested in various locations across Phnom Penh after police obtained information from the interview of the three suspects arrested at the airport.

After this report, Khmerization had received a letter in praise of our works. The writer also wish to set the record straight that not all Nigerian in Cambodia are bad.


The three suspects and their drug at the police station.

29 comments:

GADAFFI said...

how did they know they are nigerians? why no names given?
Stating that 23 Nigerians were arrested is not proper as not all blacks in cambodia are nigerians.
The authroties should investigate to be sure they are all nigerian passport carrying citizens before making conclusion

Anonymous said...

You are right, i think every criminals should be prosecuted based on their crime not their nationality, being Nigerians doesnt mean that all Nigerians living in cambodia and Asia are criminals or drug suspects.
These people bringing shame to Nigerians and Africans at large. They should be punished accordingly in respective of where they are from.

Anonymous said...

When a crime is committed and a black man is involve it automaticlly becomes a nigerian man case but when others commit the same crime it goes under the carpet. i do not suscribe to illicit transctions but as citizen of this world we shld all be subject to equal treatment regardless of creed, age, language, race or nationalty. On 18/06/09 at abt 7:30am, the cambodia law enforcment men stormed a hotel at BAVET cambodia vietnam border, they raided the hotel and recover almost 50kilo of hard drug from one of the guest lodging the hotel. this was a tip-off raid but there were no camera-men or the press to cover this incident. in the end the suspects a (boy & girl) was ushered away in their car cuff-free. Now my question is why will a suspect of that level be left uncuffed, 2ndly why did dis ppl spent close to 3hrs in the suspect room discussing if to let him off or take him back if he can't exchange hands wif them?
Let the culprit be treat as such, stop discrimination, stop racism.

Anonymous said...

The article states that the first three suspects arrested at the airport are Nigerians. They know they are Nigerians because of their passports. Yes, you are right about the others arrested afterward. May be they are not all Nigerians.

I have a feeling that this kind of drug business have some sort of involvements from corrupt officials. I think the guy who mind the luggage at the airport is an official who was involved in the business, but fearing that he might be discovered, he report the luggage to the authority. I think he double cross the three Nigerians.

Dan said...

Two months ago a Japanese who claimed to be citizen of an America were arrested in Phnom Penh and sentenced to prison.Why no body heard any bad record about Japanese or either Americans.People doing Human Trafficking and Drugs should be punished according to law not being prosecuted being a Nigerians. All fingers are not equal being a Nigerian citizen doesn't mean that all Nigerians are Drug Pushers.

kokoko said...

Attually, As a christian, there is no doubt that In every twelve there must by Judas, So for the fact that some blackmen was arrested for such illicit activity should not form an opinion that all Nigerians in Cambodia are drug peddlars.

The world to me is a global village where one should be treated as regards to his own crime but should not be generalised.

We are aware of terrorisms and other severe crimes being done in the world, and as such since the environment cannot be crime free, perprators of such crimes should be dealth as individuals and not to generalize it to other nationals of such country where the suspects hails from.

We must learn to address issues based on the facts available as not to tarnish the image of a whole nation based upon a crime committed by a certain individual.

Kokoko

Anonymous said...

It is quite shameful and regretting to what happen but at the time quite inhuman and intolerating punishing others for a crime committed by an individual or a group.

In every country even in Cambodia, crimes and other unlawful practices are regularly being engaged by individuals or gruop and they are personally being punished accordingly; but in the case of blackmen, it turns to be Nigerians and actions beyond what it suppose are taken as crime committed by 3, 23 are arrested for nothing.

Please let Nigerians be as ''we are not the devil and you people are not the Angel''

Anonymous said...

well if they ae not running drugs they are scamming some poor woman out of her money.

jayjay said...

why won't the world stop denting the image of this great nation nigeria.When a crime is committed and a black man is involve it automaticlly becomes a nigerian man case. every criminals should be prosecuted based on their crime not their nationality, being Nigerians doesnt mean that all Nigerians living in cambodia and Asia are criminals or drug suspects.Many Americans, koreans, chinese, Australian etc, commits more crim here in cambodia but no one hears it, but a case of a black is always handle differently. why arresting 23 people for a crime committed by 3 people, would they do that these countries mentioned above?Lets kick racism out our wor.ld

Anonymous said...

I am a bit confused here with all the comments above. From what I understand from the comments above, it seems that only Nigerians are punished for crimes committed in Cambodia. The article mentioned that 3 Nigerians were caught red-handed while trying to traffic drug out of Cambodia. The article also mentioned about the arrests of 20 others related to the crimes. From what I heard in the comments above, it seems to suggest that the 20 others were innocent, but were also arrested simply because they are Nigerians. I know that Cambodian police are one of the most corrupt in the world, so after reading all the comments above, I am worried that innocent Nigerians are arrested simply because they are Nigerians. If that is so, it is racist and it is very sad indeed.

Unknown said...

Its really sad to see such a thing happening but the way and manner it was handle shows clearly that there was a cover up and the Nigerians are only being used as scape goats.
The stories in the newspapers are quite conflicting.
while cambodian daily reported that the guys were caught in the tuktuk because they looked suspiciuos, Some other Khmer news papers reported that they actually gave the bag containing the exhibits to a Lady(whose identiy has been concealed all the while by the media and police
. My advice for all nigerians is to stay clear of anything that can further tarnish their already battered image.

Anonymous said...

It will be really interesting to find out why the other 20 were arrested for a crime committed by 3.
The conclusion that all arrested were nigerians is quite hasty and this has been the problem. All blacks are often regarded as nigerians whereas majority of the black in cambodia are actually not nigerian passport holders.
Its easier for any black to claim nigeria because NIGERIA is regarded as the Giant of Africa.

Don Hammer said...

Listen ...these guys might be a Nationals of different African countries....why do the always call Nigeria a bad name ? Nigeria is a great country with a respectable citizens ...

I want the names of the accused to be mentioned immediately ..let them put a STOP to this racial discrimination...peace out...be proud and remain black ....

Anonymous said...

you are all clamouring for your nigerian name. most of u here in cambodia know very well how your fellow countrymen move. you all know that many are into drug trafficking. many of you know that some wash money. almost all of you know that you scam online and steal other identities of pitiful cc owners. and then why clamour for justice when these men are caught? aint you supposed to be happy that they have fallen into the hands of justice? they that shame ur name? u might say that not all of u do bad things, i agree. so why not be happy that these scumbags are behind the bars. i heard the talk of the town today and all of u agreed that they did traffic drugs. that those men are from vietnam. so why not be happy? WHY NOT BE HAPPY THAT YOU'RE FREE?

Anonymous said...

Guys, I would love to see all criminals, regardless of their race or nationality, get caught and punished for their crimes.

What I worry here is that innocent people might be wrongfully arrested. The three alleged drug traffickers at the airport might be guilty of some sort, but the 20 others must be thoroughly investigated.

The Cambodian force is one of the world's corrupt police force and often innocent people were arrested and punished while the real criminals escaped justice.

I am suspicious that some rogue policemen or government officials might have a hand in this drug operation. What puzzles me is that one of the Cambodian, presumed to be an accomplice of the crime, was handed the luggage containing the drug. I would imagine that this guy or official was involved in the drug trafficking but feared arrest and double-crossed the black men. This kind of scenario happened many times in Cambodia where officials were involved in criminal activities but they turned around and double-crossed their accomplices who are were ordinary people or foreigners.

I hope all people involved in this drug sting, whether they are officials or not, will be arrested and punished and innocent people released.

Jenny said...

It is the right law of my country to arrest people who do any illegal business and my govt.always pass there own normal judgement but the people in incharge of the cases are the one corrupted with suspect.My govt.never over look any bad business.We love our country that we should not allow people to be corrupting us with money. l dont want us to be thinking about racism l want my country people to pass the normal law even the suspect are cambodia people or non cambodia people.

Anonymous said...

hello
well if someone is arrested for drug u have law use the law for him .dont say nigerian in every counties we have the good and the bad people.so if one person is bad mean all the countries people are bad no.let face the real issue they arrested already so us your law for them .and that does not mean all black people or african people or nigerian people are bad.
barrister

Anonymous said...

Well the issue of foreigner being arrested ( white or black ) in cambodia, shouldn't be a morning tears on our faces. Perhaps counting on Africans, Nigerians to be precised shouldn't baffle our thought at all. Nigeria is said to be a country of which bonafide Nigerians all blv that Nigeria is a continent in a continent. people with different culture, different way of living, diffirent dialect beside the nation's choosing language. A country with citizens living under different principles, blv and interest. hmmmmmmmmmm Then a wise should know that such a country must dominate.. good, bad and the ugly. When we talk about Sports Nigerians are always there, talk about business Nig leeds, talk of scam they are prof. So the question is what the hell in this world can a country do without involving a nigerian. Computer security which is updated daily , Immigration check points building up more facilities why ? all bcuz of the expirience Nigerians passes around the globe.

Justice should be passed on whom ever dare to vail its merit.

I guess tourist visit THAILAND but still have a task which is yet to be accomplished. You all need to visit the prison, and jail I bet this will cut your imagination that Cambodians do have a Resident permit in there. They come into thailand to steal cars, bikes, traffic and also sell drugs.

counting from one province to another Cambodian would'nt be less than 3000 right in jail.
lets take a deep look at this ,,,,, Why does the thai goverment still allow cambodians into thailand. ? why does'nt the that goverment ask al cambodians to let the country. this is all bcuz thailand is a country with free and open mind.

Cambodians simple arrest Nigerians simply bcuz of their own pocket interest not bcuz 3 Nigerians with hiden identities ( No names nor data showing they are real nigerian citizen)

We dont have to make other people cry all bcuz we want a smile on our face. Its as simple as
seeing cambodians as wicked and hard hearted people. A cambodian will only smile to you if they know something good will come out from your pocket.

Am not a nigerian but I do fell much for those that were arrested for just no reason.....I pray our Good lord put an end to ths mess on blacks in cambodia some day...


Maharay Ecotoh, krabi , Thailand

Anonymous said...

Nigerians are drug dealers.........so what? Are cambodians not drug dealers...go to my country America, places like Australia, New zealand or even take a trip to Phsar Kabko beside the old dilapidated building in sisowath, u will see cambodians selling the same shit. Anyway, no country is perfect, just treat this case individually and dont basterdise it,...is bad to say Nigerians......please let the sleeping dogs lie. Many other nationalities commit same offence here but money is giving and everything is closed.
Who collects the money?...Cambodia officials.........Please lets face the truth though is always bitter........Racism is involved in this...........i wish i can give all cambodians visa to travel outside and see the world.

Phillip moris

Anonymous said...

well is always like that when a system is corrupt, but i must say that the cambodian authority should make a press release on the true identity of the culprit and put and end to this rumours.
i think cambodian need to develop and make law and justice prevail. 1 love

Anonymous said...

let the police release the name n identity of the suspect for the cambodian and the world at large to know the truth of the whoile story, if not this is rascism to call nigerians alone , nigerian are not the only people here

Anonymous said...

(Nigerians are drug dealers.........so what? Are cambodians not drug dealers...go to my country America, places like Australia, New zealand or even take a trip to Phsar Kabko beside the old dilapidated building in sisowath, u will see cambodians selling the same shit. Anyway, no country is perfect, just treat this case individually and dont basterdise it,...is bad to say Nigerians......please let the sleeping dogs lie. Many other nationalities commit same offence here but money is giving and everything is closed.
Who collects the money?...Cambodia officials.........Please lets face the truth though is always bitter........Racism is involved in this...........i wish i can give all cambodians visa to travel outside and see the world) Great post by Phillip moris. By now the cambodia authotity shld be able to realise dat their corrupt attitude of extorting money mostly frm blacks expecially at pp intl airport, plus issuing fake cambodia visa to ppl only to turn around nd victimize dis same ppl is no longer a secret rather it's simply an open secret. As much as i beleive not every black or nigerian is dirty, the same goes for the cambodian officials elect, the govt of these country shld try nd carry out an adminstrative shake up on it's officials. let d criminal face d music, say no to racism. we r all citizen of dis world. Choice.

Anonymous said...

There is more to it that meet the eyes.... Since the arrest of the three guys nearly a week now, the police have used it as a yardstick to start raiding innocent nigerians and trying to cough out money from them in the name of overstay..... Its obvious that so many foreigners have overstayed their visas here in cambodia but only Nigerians are often humiliated. The worst thing there is that they refused to renew Nigerian passport holders visas yet they ask them to pay for overstay.

This is really inhuman.... HUN SEN PLEASE TAKE NOTE

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Dan said...

Hello fellow Nigerians what are we people saying let us call a spade a spade We all knows that we all Nigerians are always over do things but let us just accept this alligation but racism has getting to it by Cambodia people period.We should not build a house for an evil to stay.Our fore-father says if an elderly man stays in a market,a small kid's head should not be bend.All these bad record comes from the HEAD we dont have any fault.

Unknown said...

Hello MY Dear People of the World,am surprised with the kind of publicity that is beign given this particular case,is it only Nigerians that peddle drugs in Cambodia or any other place,there are cases of Australians and Europeans also involved in this dirty business but why the priority been faced on Nigerians alone,all those guys are not Nigerians that am sure off,criminal minds always come together even with many of thier Cambodian friends Vecause they can not do this without Cambodians helping them,We are in the 21th Century everyone is to be given a fair hearing,why dont we wait and see even the highly placed Cambodians named in this matter which am sure will happen if proper investigation is done and the generally reaction we will get when we actually see those behind these things,If thses guys can come to Cambodia and do all these alone,I think they are equally smart enough to be put to other helpful things than condeming them,But lets wait and see , Vang Nguyen From Vietnam.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Not all Nigerians are bad. please people should mind the way the use Nigerian name to cover up.I don't know why whenever a black man committed any crimes they will called him a Nigerian man without seeing his passport to know where he comes from.Please, not all Nigerians are bad.If not for Nigerians i don't believe that Asian business will grow as fast like this. People should visit Nigeria, we have a lot of crude oil and gas.Nigeria has the largest market in Africa.Nigerians don't store drugs.However, if illegal drug users are found they will be brought to court for judgement.

from uzo

Anonymous said...

The question i will like to ask is "Where is the drug from? How did it come into cambodia that the problem now is how to get out of cambodia?
It is a fact that Nigeria dont produce drugs neither do the average nigerian indulge in taking the drugs.

These guys are victims of the situation they find themselves. I am not holding brief, but if we have to find the solution to the problem, then its important to find the root cause of the problem.

When most Africans who leave their countries in search of greener pastures are not given opportunity to work legitimately, they have to find other means to survive.

There is need to find out where and how the drugs get into cambodia, certainly its not from the nigerians, its within the country and some top people are involved.

the insect that feeds on the vegetable lives inside the vegetable

Chao

jones said...

Well, i am not a Nigerian, i just read the news and its so amazing that a small but corrupt country as Cambodia could be using Nigeria to cover up there Mal governmental system and corrupt administration. I have been to Cambodia and i knew its not a place to be. i really would like to advice that they stop shouting Nigeria, they should rather handle the case.

Anonymous said...

Racism is a misused word..The Nigerians trafficking drugs do not realize that Yes! The color of their skin and suspicious behavior does make them easy for Cambodians to observe. The Nigerians hope that American racists like Jesse Jackson has brainwashed everyone in the world to "ignore the skin" where crime exists...Their huge heroin possession will result in the death penalty for the black Afrikans; yes, that Is the truth!