A district police chief in Battambang province was suspended on Tuesday on suspicion of extorting a bribe from the family of a drug suspect in return for his release.

Ratanakmondul district police chief Sorn Nil allegedly demanded $1,200 from the family of Run Ra, a 23-year-old farmer who was called in for questioning over an alleged collusion with Chhoeun Chhunheak, 21, who police said was trafficking in 22 small packs and nine big packs of methamphetamine in Plov Meas commune’s Sek Sork village on August 20.

The provincial police human resources office deputy chief Tem Kosal said Nil had been suspended pending further investigation.

“To ease the probe, the provincial police chief has transferred Sorn Nil to the human resources office. So far we’ve not found evidence of his guilt,” Kosal said.

Ra’s father Ly Run, 56, said his son was detained for questioning on August 23 after police saw him ride a motorbike with Chhunheak, who is from the same village.

“The officers said their boss wanted me to pay $1,500 in return for my son’s release, but I asked to meet him in person because I could afford only $1000. Then the pair lowered it down to $1,200 and warned me against telling anyone,” Run said.