Four people – including two police officers – were tried at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday for allegedly selling methamphetamines to an undercover police officer earlier this year.

Presiding judge Ly Lipmeng identified the accused as Ministry of Interior economic police officers Lun Pha, 47, and Suon Lenin, 34, as well as tuk-tuk driver Muth Thim, 38, and businesswoman Morn Dalin, 30.

According to Lipmeng, on March 8 Pha paid Thim $100 to pick up the drugs from Morn Dalin and bring them to him. After receiving the drugs, Pha allegedly gave them Lenin, who then met an undercover officer posing as a buyer.

As soon as he had handed over the more than 700 grams of meth, police surrounded and arrested him.

Dalin was later arrested in Kampong Cham province based on information from Pha and Thim.

Pha, Lenin and Thim yesterday admitted to their involvement in the deal, and asked for shorter sentences, with Pha pleading poverty.

“The reason why I decided to do this business was that I was so poor,” he said. “My children also got seriously sick and I needed the necessary money for their treatment expenses.”

Dalin, however, maintained her innocence and asked that her charges be dropped.

“I don’t know these three men. I don’t know about this case,” she said. “I was staying at my house while this case was happening.”

A verdict is due to be handed down on September 21.