Four men accused of smuggling a half-kilogram of methamphetamine into the country from Laos each face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 20 million riel ($5,000).

Vietnamese nationals Chuong Dafong, 30, and Chhith Honglam, 26, along with their alleged Cambodian associates Sok Pisal and Hang Vuthy, both 30, were tried at Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday.

The four were arrested just over a year ago, when police seized the drugs as Vuthy and Dafong checked into the Chhouk Tep Hotel in the capital’s Tuol Kork district.

“They had brought the drugs from Laos via Stung Treng province to Phnom Penh,” judge Sin Visal said. “They planned to travel to Poipet to sell the drugs.”

In court yesterday, all four admitted their guilt and asked for reduced sentences.

Pisal said he bought the methamphetamine from a woman in Laos for $15,000, and planned to sell it in Poipet for $20,000. He said he made the trip once before.

A verdict will be issued on October 22.