A captain with the military’s Brigade 911 unit, notorious for its involvement in crackdowns on civilians, was arrested in Phnom Penh in the early hours of yesterday morning on suspicion of drug trafficking, according to police.

Lieutenant Colonel Yim Sarann, chief of Por Sen Chey district police, said 26-year-old Chhorn Makara was arrested at about 12:30am while riding his motorbike in Choam Chao commune.

“Our police on patrol had suspected [he was carrying drugs] and checked him,” Sarann said.

“After searching him, we found two packs of methamphetamine powder hidden inside his motorbike and a pistol.”

Makara confessed to being a drug user and said the methamphetamine was only for personal use, according to Sarann.

But despite this, he said, Makara, who could not be reached yesterday, was dealt preliminary charges of “drug use and trafficking”.

He is scheduled to appear at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning today.