The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday heard the case of four people accused of being part of a cocaine-smuggling ring following a bust in February.
Filipina Macoy Mavill Villamor, 42, Cambodian Meng Sinuon, 30 and Nigerians Micheal Sunshine, 34, and Emmauel Thank God are alleged to have been in possession of a combined 2.5 kg of cocaine.
They were arrested in separate stings on two different days in February, both at Phnom Penh International Airport and at a hotel. Ms. Villamor was arrested at the airport carrying a box that contained diamond jewelry.
Upon further inspection, officials found cocaine hidden inside. She said the box was given to her by “a black guy from Brazil, who wanted to send it to people in Cambodia.”
She added, “He told me to take care of it, because it was a diamond. If I had known it was drugs, I would have ignored it and run away.”
The hearing will continue on August 21, according to presiding Judge Heng Kesaro.
