Two Thai men were arrested for allegedly using and selling drugs in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town yesterday, according to police.

Su Liyan, 45, from Chachoengsao province, Thailand, and Natchha Khantho, 19, from Prachinburi province, were arrested at 3am near the railway in Poipet commune, according to Poipet town police chief Om Sophal.

The pair were picked up as they were allegedly selling drugs to hand-cart operators who carry goods back and forth across the border for shoppers using the popular markets located close to the crossing point, Sophal said.

“After the arrest, authorities checked the suspects and found a bag containing four yama pills, and a small quantity of methamphetamine powder, as well as a quantity of cash in Thai baht,” he added.

When questioned, both suspects denied selling drugs, but claimed they had purchased the narcotics from the hand-cart operators for their personal use to combat exhaustion resulting from their work in the construction industry, Sophal said.