Cambodian-American Hong Andy, previously deported back to the US after serving a six-month jail term for drug possession, was sentenced to life in prison and fined 80 million riel ($20,000) yesterday after being found guilty of drug trafficking and illegal weapon possession by Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Andy, 51, was arrested on March 4, 2011, and subsequently forced by police to call 19-year-old accomplice Nay Sreny, who was charged for her role in the trafficking of 30 boxes of a methamphetamine precursor.

She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined 40 million riel.

Three others were convicted, including Andy’s uncle, Ear Kimheng, 42, who stored the drugs at the Cambodian-Japanese Education Centre and after the arrest co-ordinated their disposal with fellow staff members Kim Darith and Sorith Thach.

Kimheng has been sentenced to 25 years and fined 50 million riel.

Darith and Thach will both face jail time for their role in the drugs’ disposal.

The defence could not be reached for comment yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Lieng Sarith at [email protected]