The Battambang Provincial Court on June 4 placed a man who authorities said was impersonating a Buddhist monk in pre-trial detention for possession of 0.57g of methamphetamines hidden in a cigarette pack.

The drug charges came just two days after he was arrested on other charges in Hai San village of Thma Koul district’s Chrey commune.

Sok Nimol, head of the provincial anti-drug bureau, said on June 5 that the investigating judge remanded Lim Chanvibol, 30, into custody on June 4.

“The investigating judge ordered that this fake monk be put in pre-trial detention [June 4] after the prosecutor charged him the same day,” he said.

Citing the villagers, commune police chief Hang Seya said the monk collected alms every day but refused food and would only take money. At 9am on June 2, he was seen engaged in this practice, prompting a local resident to report to the police.

When questioned by the commune police who immediately acted on the tips, the impersonator identified himself as a resident of Trapeang village in Sre Chea Kang Choeung commune.

“The residents wondered why he was different from other monks. One villager offered him cooked rice but he refused it, and when officers searched him they found the pack of cigarettes with the drugs inside,” Seya said.

The man admitted during questioning that he was impersonating a Buddhist monk, Seya said, adding that the district police had reported the case to the district cults and religions department for further action.