It’s a sad commentary on the state of the arts when traditional Cambodian opera performers turn to slinging dope to make ends meet.

But so it was on Sunday when police pulled over a singer at a routine police check point in Tbong Khmum province.

After the 32-year-old failed to run the road block, police searched him and found two packages of yama he admitted he planned to sell in the provinces.

He blamed his predicament on the little money his craft was earning him.

Koh santepheap