A German motorbike mechanic living in Mondolkiri province was arrested Thursday afternoon after police found 25 marijuana plants growing behind his house, according to provincial police chief Toch Yon.
Having heard reports of a marijuana plantation in the area, Sen Monorom City police went to the home of Reinhard Trippmacher, 40, in Spean Meanchey commune and discovered the plants.
With the assistance of Mr. Trippmacher, who is now being kept at the Sen Monorom City police station for questioning, police uprooted the entire crop of plants.
Mr. Yon said that the case would be referred to the provincial court, but that he was unsure if the court prosecutor would push for punishment or simply educate Mr. Trippmacher on the illegality of his operation.
“For this case, only the chief prosecutor of the court can decide whether he should be educated to stop growing or punished by law,” he said.
