The Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court on Saturday charged two Thai nationals – initially believed to be innocent victims of a kidnapping – with attempted drug purchasing, while their three Cambodian captors were charged with fraud and illegal detention, said Major Ham Muth, commander of the Poipet City Military Police.

Cambodians Phan Kouy, 29; Yi Channa, 33; and Seng Daniseth, 32, were charged with attempting to swindle the two Thai nationals identified only as Abe, 29, and Ami, 31, out of money intended for a large-scale drug deal, and illegally detaining the pair in a Poipet guesthouse in an attempt to extort the full amount, Muth said.

“The two Thai men were also charged with two crimes: illegal entry into Cambodia and intending to buy drugs in Cambodia,” he added. “According to the Cambodian penal code, if they are found guilty, they will face punishments of at least 15 years each in prison.” 

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]