Anti-drugs police in Battambang province busted three men driving a car with Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) plates on Saturday, as they attempted to deal almost a kilogram of methamphetamine.

Car mechanics Keo Rattana, 41, Seang Sokha, 45, and unemployed Lan Dara, 27, were arrested near Spean Thmor bridge in Battambang Town, after being seen driving a black Lexus registered in Rattana’s name.

Authorities said that Rattana was the ringleader of the group and that his RCAF licence plates were fakes.

Battambang provincial deputy police chief Chet Vanny said the police were interrogating the suspects to glean more information about their operation ahead of sending them to court.

“We do not know when they will be sent to the court,” Vanny said yesterday.

In what appears to be a sting operation, the three suspects were surrounded by anti-drug police as they awaited a buy for the 998 grams of meth they were found carrying.

The drugs reportedly originated in Laos, having been smuggled across the border into Stung Treng province.

Authorities did not confirm how the drugs were transported between northeast and western Cambodia.