PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - Interior Minister Sar Kheng said Monday his ministry lacked information to investigate Australian newspaper claims about two Cambodians allegedly involved in a drug smuggling and money laundering ring.
"I know that the two people have already confirmed and threatened to file a complaint against that newspaper," he said, referring to The Age newspaper in Melbourne.
Sar Kheng, who is also a deputy prime minister, also noted that ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak had already denied the report.
But Yim Sovan, spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said the ministry should investigate the charges.
"Some people involved in drug smuggling have been protected by senior Cambodian officials so the government’s duty is to investigate the case and implement the law," he said.
Cambodian Center for Human Rights President Ou Virak said that the claims were "not a strange case for Cambodia" since Moek Dara, the former head of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, had been convicted of drug trafficking.
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