Police have asked for more than half a million US dollars to reward drug officials

National police have demanded more than half a million dollars from the Ministry of Interior to give them a reward for police officers involved in the illegal confiscation of drugs, officials said yesterday.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng announced in March that officials and units that seized one kilogram or more of the drugs would receive $ 10,000 in cash as part of government incentives aimed at increasing productivity among anti-drug officials.

Human Rights Advocacy yesterday suggested that the project could push for increased enforcement of corruption laws and excessive arrest and that the funds should be used for drug treatment better.

A senior national police chief, Mok Chito, said his superior, National Police Chief Neth Savoeun, had asked for more than $ 500,000 to donate bonuses during Friday's meeting at the Ministry of Interior, with Mr Sar Kheng taking part. He said he did not remember the exact amount.

Lt. Gen. Chito said the incentive policy came from Prime Minister Hun Sen, Sar Kheng and Deputy Prime Minister Ke Kim Yan, who is the head of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, to "encourage forces and organizations to crack down on drug cases".

The police chief, who confiscated at least one kilogram of heroin, will receive a reward of up to 40 million riels (US $ 10,000), based on the quantity and absolute drug level of the drug, he said.

Friday's meeting examined the progress of the government's six-month anti-drug campaign that began on January 1.

Lt. Gen. Chito said the official would announce if more than half a million dollars would be offered at another meeting likely to be held next week.

Gen Neang Savoeun could not be reached for comment yesterday.

From January 1 to July 1, more than 9,600 people were arrested on suspicion of drug abuse including about 5,200 suspected drug users, according to figures from the National Authority for Combating Drugs.

In Song, director of the Office of Administration at the Ministry of Interior's anti-droning department, said the incentive scheme would encourage officials to work hard, however, he said the anti-dumping police were working hard without a rewarding bonus.

But human rights organizations and advocacy groups for welfare have voiced concern yesterday.

CCHR Executive Director Chak Sophea said in an email that "the reward should be given to the implementation of high standards rather than promoting short-term policies that could have a negative impact on overall policymaking."

She added that it could force lawmakers to "enforce excess laws" or not to respect individual procedures and rights.

Suon Chenda, project manager at Cana NGO, a non-governmental organization that supports drug abuse, said in an email that the award was "ineffective in preventing drug demand or cracking down on those who benefited from drug trafficking."

She said the reward for the award, which Mr. Kheng said in March, that the government intends to take possession of assets confiscated from drug traffickers, should be used in drug detoxification, drug and other services that reduce the health risks of drug use.

Naly Pilorge, deputy advocacy advocate for rights group Licadho, said that in "corrupt" countries full of corruption and problems in law enforcement and the courts, the project seems to be "disadvantageous." Suy Chheang