Nine Nigerian nationals, including their ringleader still at large, and a
Cambodian woman were sentenced to five to eight years in prison and
fined a total of 126 million riel ($30,663) for drug trafficking at
Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday, September 12th.
Nine out of the 10 accused were arrested on January 8,
after being
found in possession of nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine powder that
was intended for sale around Phnom Penh. Their ringleader, Obieze Kennth
Uche, also known as John remains at large.
The convicts include, Tony
Chukwuonye, two brothers, Okorom Favour and Okorom Kizito Chinedu,
Francis Nnamdi, Simon Maduka Ukandu, Sunday Nwabuisi, Nna Mezie Victor, Izuchukwu Chukwuma.
"The court is ordering the arrest of Obieze Kenneth Uche," Judge
Khy Chai said. "After
the verdict comes into effect, all nine foreigners, after serving their
jail terms, have to be deported out of Cambodia and prevented from
entering Cambodia for the next five years."
On the last day of the trial, it was revealed that only two out of
the 15 samples collected tested positive for meth, with 4 and 5 percent
purity, respectively.
In the same hearing, Cambodian national Morm Vonyong, 25, admitted to
delivering drugs to customers several times in exchange for $100. Her
attorney, Lay Longdy, said he will be appealing the verdict.
Source: The Phnom Penh Post
