A suspected drug dealer was shot in the leg by police after he threatened them with a sword while trying to evade capture in Phnom Penh on Saturday, according to authorities.
Municipal anti-drug police chief Iv Thearith said Sunday that his officers had gone to raid the home of known drug dealer Tep Samith, 32, in Russei Keo district’s Tuol Sangke commune in the early afternoon when they noticed him driving around his property and began to give chase.
The police chief said Mr. Samith attempted to drive off, then stopped, pulled out a samurai-style sword and began to threaten the officers. Colonel Thearith said the officers then fired a warning shot toward the ground, but the bullet ricocheted and struck Mr. Samith in the left leg.
Inside Mr. Samith’s home, Col. Thearith said police found half a kg of crystal methamphetamine, commonly called “ice.”
“We confiscated nine plastic bags of ice, three swords, two walkie-talkies, one pair of handcuffs, one electric baton, and other items for smoking drugs and a drug scale,” he said.
He said Mr. Samith was taken to Calmette Hospital for treatment and that five drug users who were also arrested at his home during the raid were being held by police.
In a separate case, Col. Thearith said his officers arrested another suspected drug dealer, Lin Meng, 33, early Sunday morning in Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune with just over half a kg of crystal meth after following his movements for about two weeks.
He said the two suspected dealers and five users would be sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court today to face charges.
