The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday convicted a two-star army general and an accomplice of trafficking five kilograms of methamphetamines and sentenced the pair to 20 years in prison with a fine of $15,000 each.

Judge Kim Dany said Chan Rithydy, 45, a general and deputy chief of mixed staff for infantry armed forces at the Defense Ministry, and Diep Sunlay, a 51-year-old businessman, had been found guilty.

Leam Chhunry, 26, a driver, had the trafficking charges against him dropped and was released, she said. The trio was charged with possessing, transporting and trafficking drugs.

They were arrested in Meanchey district’s Prek Pra commune on August 24 last year. Nguon Makara, Sunlay’s defence lawyer, said her client had appealed.