A Nigerian man, another from Sierra Leone and two Cambodian women had their day in Phnom Penh’s Municipal Court yesterday to face charges of drug trafficking, after their arrest last year in the capital.

Presiding judge Sous Sam Ath said all four suspects were arrested last December in the Chamkarmon district where police confiscated 99 grams of methamphetamine.

He identified the quartet as Nigerian Cho For Chosenna, 32, Seirra Leonean Frank Joe Sesay, 36, Heng Phalla, 33, and Seng Chenda, 27.

Anti-drug police officer for the Ministry of Interior Pao Sam Eng said that on December 5, Heng Phalla, along with undercover police, called Seng Chenda to confirm she had the cash for a joint purchase they were planning to make.

He said Heng Phalla then called Cho For Chosenna and organised a meeting where he would purchase methamphetamine from him at the night market.

Cho For Chosenna denied involvement in the drug trade.  

Frank Joe Sesay echoed this claim of innocence and said he was merely meeting up with Cho For Chosenna to pick up US$20 he claimed he was owed, when the arrests were made.

Judge Sous Sam Ath said the verdict for the case would be announced June 15.

To contact the reporter on this story: Lieng Sarith at [email protected]