Ex-drugs tsar was trafficker

Cambodia’s former drugs tsar has been sentenced to life in prison for taking bribes and masterminding drug trafficking.

Moek Dara was secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs when he was arrested last January.

Before taking up the post, Moek Dara was a senior member of prime minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party and served in the interior ministry for several years.

The Banteay Meanchey provincial court yesterday handed Dara a life sentence for taking bribes and masterminding drug trafficking, prosecutor Phan Vanrath said.

Cambodia is a main route for drug smuggling, though not a major drugs producer.