Five drug smugglers convicted in PP court

A Phnom Penh Municipal Court judge yesterday convicted five people of smuggling methamphetamine from Laos to Cambodia, handing down prison sentences of 25 to 30 years.

Six people were arrested in the capital’s Sen Sok district in March 2013 during police raids on several houses where the trafficking operation was based, netting 14 kilograms of methamphetamine, Phnom Penh Municipal Military Police Deputy Commander Khen Sovann said yesterday.

Judge Mong Mony Sorphea dropped charges against Cheap Ky Eang – the alleged ringleader – who died of a heart attack in Prey Sar prison last September.

Ky Eang’s wife, Long Vanthy, 45, and military officer Srun Bunthoeun, 32, were sentenced to 25 years in prison, and given 40 million riel ($10,000) fines. Ma Phovchuoy, 26, Ma Sok Heng, 29, and Vong Srey Leak, 32, were sentenced to 30 years each and hit with 50 million riel ($12,500) fines.

Vanthy yesterday said she would appeal.

“I think the court’s decision was unjust, because I was not involved with my husband’s activities,” she said outside the courtroom.