Three of six men were sent to Rattanakkiri Provincial Court on Sunday for allegedly dealing in methamphetamine in Banlong town.

Local and Interior Ministry police arrested the accused on Friday after finding them in possession of 864.57 grams of methamphetamine. Kory Prel, deputy Banlong police chief, identified the suspects as Im Vuthy, 30, Chhay Ravy, 25, and Sun Sam Oeun, 24.

“The Ministry of Interior arrested the men according to the law. We do not know as yet if the court will take [further] action,” Prel said.

San Sothy, deputy director of the Interior Ministry’s Anti-Drug Department, said a few policemen went undercover to buy drugs from the three and arrested them when they tried to sell them the methamphetamine.

“They were caught red-handed. They imported the drugs from Laos,” Sothy said, adding that the operation was carried out in collaboration with the provincial court.

Provincial Prosecutor Chea Pich, said the suspects were sent to court where the investigating judge questioned them individually. If found guilty, the accused will be held under pre-trial detention, he said.

“Six persons were involved with the crime, but the police only managed to arrest three. Their accomplices fled the scene,” Pich said, adding that police have mounted a search for them.