The Kampot Provincial Court on May 27 placed a rice wine producer in pre-trial detention after test results from the Ministry of Health revealed that the wine contained high levels of methanol.

Provincial police chief Mao Chan Mathurith told The Post that officers from the criminal bureau had detained Kuy Sok, 48, and Chey Sophal, 34, for questioning about the more than 10 deaths and many who fell ill after drinking wine at a funeral on May 21 in the commune.

The victims claimed they had bought the wine from the man and woman, both of whom are residents of Kampong Trach Kang Koeut commune in Kampong Trach district.

“Police send them to court on Wednesday [May 26] evening. I still have not received news about a court decision,” he said.

Provincial court spokesman Man Boreth confirmed to The Post on May 27 that after questioning and examination of the police report, the court put Sok in pre-trial detention and released the woman because the test results revealed that her wine contained no methanol as alleged.

“Sok was charged ... under Article 43 of the Consumer Protection Law,” he said.

Sok faces between two and five years in prison and a fine of four to 10 million riel ($1,000 to $2,500) if found guilty.

The incident happened on May 21, when dozens of people fell ill after drinking wine at a funeral in the commune. Ten people have died from the tainted wine, according to the ministry on May 25.