A police sting has ensnared five people on drug smuggling charges, one of whom prosecutors yesterday asked Phnom Penh Municipal Court to release due to lack of evidence.

Four Vietnamese nationals and one Cambodian faced court after a police officer posed as a buyer and requested the Cambodian find methamphetamines for purchase at an inflated price.

Allegedly tempted by the money, 35-year-old Kim Nak contacted one of the charged Vietnamese nationals, Chov Sambo.

Prosecutor Meas Chanpiseth asked yesterday that Kim Nak’s punishment be reduced because he ‘‘confessed to his activities’’ and helped ‘‘break the case’’.

Vietnamese national Trang Thi Muey, 69, was released after prosecutors determined she was unconnected to the crime.

The remaining three Vietnamese all requested their sentences be reduced as they claim they were duped into securing the drugs.

The verdict is due on March 6.