The trial of two university students accused of buying half a kilogram of methamphetamine from an undercover cop who was dating one of them began yesterday at Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Sun Sarath, 22, and Son Kimsan, 22 – both second-year students at the Royal University of Phnom Penh – are facing charges in violation of Article 40 of Cambodia’s Anti-Drug Law, according to Judge Sin Visal.

Sarath was arrested on May 2 in Russey Keo district for allegedly using $400 loaned by Son to buy methamphetamine from an undercover female agent known as “Chen”, who was secretly working for the provincial anti-drug police while dating Kimsan for three months, according to police reports.

Kimsan’s subsequent arrest on May 17 was based on Sarath’s confession.

Both students testified during yesterday’s trial that they neither recognised nor tried to buy “ice” from “Chen” .

“I was not drug trafficking,” Sarath said, “I’m just a victim of these accusations.”

However, Sarath did testify that Kimsan had asked him to bring $400 dollars to a girl named “Chen,” who Kimsan said he has never met.

The court will deliver the verdict on September 23.