Life sentences for Thai, Nigerian, Romanian in Cambodia

The Court of Appeal on Friday upheld the life sentences of two foreign nationals for transporting nearly five kilos of cocaine from Brazil into Cambodia at the Phnom Penh International Airport in 2016. Pak Chansambo, a judge with the Appeal Court, identified the two men as Adrian-Calin Varadi, 40, a citizen of Romania and Chukwuemaka Ibe, 35, a citizen of Nigeria.

Judge Chansambo said the two men were arrested on August 14, 2016 by anti-drug police in collaboration with the Customs and Excise and Immigration Police at Phnom Penh International Airport, when authorities seized five kilograms of cocaine. “After the appeal hearing and consideration by the court’s judges council, the Appeal Court has decided that the verdict of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 9, 2017, was right and was in accordance with the laws,” Judge Chansambo said. “Therefore, the court decides to uphold the decision.”

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50116009/court-upholds-life-sentences-for-foreign-national-drug-dealers/

Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced a Thai national to life in prison on Friday for smuggling nearly 20 kilos of methamphetamine and heroine into the country last year through the Lao border in Stung Treng province. Presiding Judge Leang Samnath sentenced Chhay Yaphung Saiphan, 52, to life in prison as well as a fine of $20,000 for his crimes.

“Though the accused denied ever being the owner of the drugs, he was truly involved and he committed the trafficking,” said Judge Samnath. “Therefore, the court has decided to sentence him to life in prison a fine of 80 million riels to put in the state budget.” According to a police report, on the evening of August 1 last year, Mr Saiphan transported three kilos of drugs by car from the Cambodia-Laos border in Stung Treng.

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50116007/thai-imprisoned-for-life-over-drug-offences/

 

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