No survey of the extent of cultivation has yet been done, and there are no good data on which to base an estimate. The government moved against farmers in Koh Kong province growing marijuana for export to Thailand, seizing approximately 32,000 plants. There have been rumors of opium cultivation, the presence of a heroin lab in Cambodia, and amphetamine production, but to date these have not been substantiated. Heroin is known to transit Cambodia from the Golden Triangle to countries in the region, to Europe, and to the United States. Opium almost certainly transits Cambodia from Laos to Thailand.
Cannabis grown in Cambodia is shipped to Thailand.
A comprehensive picture of trafficking activity is still not available, but increasing information about the drug trade suggests that heroin trafficking is a serious concern, especially in light of the high volume of drug trafficking in the region, the relative weakness of law enforcement institutions and the lack of an effective criminal justice system and anti-narcotics laws. Government authorities do not believe that domestic opiate use is a major problem. Anecdotal evidence suggests that narcotics use by foreigners has increased. Abuse of pharmaceutical drugs, which are not presently regulated in an effective manner, is common. There are no government demand reduction programs in place in Cambodia, but Cambodian officials have requested information to educate Cambodians about the danger of drug use.