Three Thai nationals found guilty of drug possession and trafficking were given life imprisonment and a fine of 80 million Riel (about Bt723,000) by Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday, according to Khmer Times.

Phanthep Vithya, 44; Kroeungsak Maklikun, 35; and Narongrith Chakroeunsuk, 26, were found to have in possession, nearly 42 kilograms of ketamine and ecstasy when they were searched by police in Phon Penh back on August 31, 2022.

The fourth suspect, Sem Jam, 28 was killed in a crossfire as the group tried to escape the arrest.

Khmer Times quoted deputy chief of the municipal anti-drug unit in Phnom Penh – Lieutenant Colonel Nuon Sothearith, that the four suspects were transporting illicit drugs from Stung Treng province to Phnom Penh in two pickup trucks.

They tried to evade inspection by speeding into the checkpoint while firing 10 shots at police officers.

The drugs were found concealed under a layer of flowers in the cargo bed of the truck.

In addition to drug possession, transport and trafficking, the three are also charged with unauthorised possession of weapons under the Criminal Code; and money laundering under the Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Financing.

Among the items seized were four pistols, 12.18 kilograms of ketamine 29.75 kilograms of ecstasy, other drug-related materials, two pickup trucks and three plots of land.