Foursome Gets 20 Years for Attempted Meth Trafficking

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday sentenced four men, one in absentia, to 20 years in prison for attempting to traffic nearly half a kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, while a woman involved in the case was acquitted, court officials said.

Chhon Lin, 24; Thol Rithya, 24; Det Sochet, 30; and Phon Muoy, 52, the woman, were arrested at the Monorom Clinic in Daun Penh district on April 3, according to Seng Mon Punlork, the court-appointed lawyer for a fourth man, Vong Chhunly, 52, who remains at large and was convicted in absentia Thursday.

Mr. Mon Punlork said that at the time of the arrest, the group, save his client, was at the clinic visiting Mr. Lin, who was being treated for a gunshot wound.

Police found the methamphetamine and two Chinese-made handguns inside Mr. Lin’s room, along with more drugs inside the compartment of a motorbike parked outside the building.

Presiding Judge Top Chhun Heng on Thursday handed the four men 20-year jail terms and fined them 40 million riel (about $10,000) each, but exonerated Ms. Muoy without explanation.

A court clerk said the seized methamphetamine totaled 459.38 grams.

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