A retired police chief in Kandal’s Takhmao district charged with possession and intent to distribute 13 1-gram bags of crystal meth was found guilty and sentenced in Kandal provincial court to two years prison on Monday, after a judge rejected a defence that the drug was medicinal.

In court, Mom Vath, 64, admitted to buying the drug but claimed he was only using it to treat his gastritis – a painful inflammation of the stomach.

However, presiding judge Phong Van yesterday told the Post he did not believe this explanation, especially given that the suspect could not produce a prescription.

“He would only not be guilty if he had a prescription from a licensed doctor,” said the judge. “We can’t believe his words. We believe he bought them for selling.”

Amphetamines are not typically prescribed for stomach ailments, according to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse.

On the contrary, using meth may create gastric problems like cramps and obstruction.

Court officials and police declined to explain how Vath was discovered to be in possession of the drugs.