Police Seize 347.5 Kgs of 'Chinese Tea' Drugs Hidden in Steel Pipes

[CEOCambodiaNews]

Cambodia News (Phnom Penh): On 24 December 2021, at 17:55, competent experts of the Anti-Drug Department (A1) led by Lt. Gen. In Song, Special Forces of the Department of External Intelligence, Sihanoukville Port Customs, and the Phnom Penh Municipal Police carried out a crack down on a major drug trafficking operation, in cooperation with Chinese authorities, seizing 347. 428 kilograms of methamphetamine, and arresting nine Chinese men.

The crackdown on drug trafficking offenses took place in two different target locations:
- At the twin villa number 21, Street # R03 Star Platinum Borey, Peng Hout District, Niroth Ampeou
- Yin Thomas Restaurant on Boeung Prolit 7 Makara, Phnom Penh.
Nine suspects were arrested in the raids, all are Chinese nationals:
1) HUANG RUI MING, (leader of the trafficking operations),
2) LI YI NAN,
3) SUN LIANG,
4) SUN HAI TAO,
5) LIU WEI CHENG,
6) CHEN ZHI QUAN,
7) WANG LEI,
8 - WANG YUE,
9) ZHU XIAO FEI.

During the arrests, police confiscated 347 kilograms, and 427 99 grams, of crystal methamphetamine (also known as ICE), which were packed in the signature packets of Chinese tea traditionally used by drug smugglers, and then hidden in 367 steel pipes. Police also seized 2 drug scales, some packaging materials, 1 TOYOTA ALPHARD car. 1 black HONDA PCX motorcycle, 10 mobile phones and 300 USD.

The case will be heard at Phnom penh Municipal Court.

[CEOCambodiaNews]

Further details:

The investigation into this case started when the Cambodian authorities received expert information 4 months ago from the Chinese authorities on the projected international drug smuggling operation. At the same time, the Chinese authorities also cracked down and arrested the criminals involved in China.

So far, all the arrests in both countries concern Chinese nationals, but this is an international criminal operation.

[CEOCambodiaNews]

UPDATE
Phnom Penh Municipal Court heard 9 Chinese accused in cross-border drug trafficking

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): The Phnom Penh Municipal Court this morning, July 18, 2022, held the trial of nine Chinese defendants involved in the trafficking of nearly 357 kilograms of cross-border drugs at two different destinations in Phnom Penh during the year 2021.
1- At the point of Twin Villa No. 21, Street R03, Star Platinum, Borey Peng Huoth, Boeung Sno, Sangkat Niroth, Khan Chbar Ampov.
2: At Ien Mathov Restaurant, Sangkat Boeung Prolit, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh.

Mr. Nhim Pisal, Chief Judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, said that the nine Chinese nationals accused are identified as:
1. HUANG RUI MING, male, born in 1963 (mastermind).
2-Name is LI YI NAN, Male, Born in 1983.
3-Name is SUN LIANG, Male, Born in 1979.
4-Name is SUN HAI TAO, Male, Born in 1980.
5. Name: LIU WEI CHENG, male, born in 1969.
6-Name is CHEN ZHI QUAN, male, born in 1955.
7. Name: WANG LEI, male, born in 1990.
8.Name: WANG YUE, male, born in 1982.
9-Name is ZHU XIAO FEI, Male, Born in 1982.

In this case, the accused is represented by the prosecution on charges of "illegal drug trafficking" under Article 40 of the Law on Drug Control.
They were arrested on December 24, 2021.

After the arrest, the police confiscated a total of 347 kilograms, 427.99 grams of methamphetamine (ICE) (hidden in 367 steel tubes and 61 large packages) - 2 drug scales - some packaging materials, 1 car TOYOTA ALPHARD with license plate Phnom Penh 2BE-2973 - 1 black HONDA PCX motorcycle with license plate Phnom Penh 1FE-5946 - 10 mobile phones and 300 USD.

In this case, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court postponed the announcement of the verdict until the morning of August 2, 2022.

[CEOCambodiaNews]

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): The judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, on the afternoon of July 21, 2022, announced the sentencing of nine Chinese nationals to prison for life, according to the law related to the case of trafficking nearly 350 Kg of illegal drugs.

The verdict leaves the right to appeal if the accused do not agree with the sentences.