Court promises full investigation and says it is likely the pair –  who were caught selling yaba outside a casino – will end up in prison

TWO Thai girls have been caught carrying 145 methamphetamine or ‘yaba' pills on the Cambodian side of the Poipet border, according to local government officials.

"Vilav Van, 25, and Hak Thykan Santhi, 21, were detained at 2:40 pm on September 30 after they were caught selling the drugs outside a casino in Kbal Spearn village, Poipet commune, O'Chrov district," Chhiv Nem, the director of the government's anti-drug bureau in Banteay Meanchey province said.

He added that the girls were unemployed and had probably smuggled the pills over the border.

"I sent the two defendants to the provincial commissioner‘s department on the primary charge of selling illegal drugs on Wednesday, and I believe they will be sent to the court on Thursday," Chhiv Nem said.

"The two Thai girls are now in custody at my department and will be sent to the court Thursday evening," confirmed Banteay Meanchey provincial police commissioner Hun Hean. "They have been charged with posession of 145 methamphetamine tablets."

The prosecutor at the Banteay Meanchey provincial court, So Vat, said he was informed by the police about the arrest Thursday, and that the court was expecting the suspects to be transferred to them shortly.

"I can't say how many years they will serve in jail, as that requires testing the drugs and a full investigation," he said.

According to last month's report by National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), methamphetamine use accounts for about 80 percent of drug use in Cambodia.