Login Register

Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Using his ‘noodle’ Smuggler pleads ignorance

Using his ‘noodle’ Smuggler pleads ignorance

| Publication date 12 May 2017 | 07:59 ICT

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Ahamad Johari Chung, 23 (middle), is escorted by officials after his trial yesterday at the Phnom Penh court. Photo supplied

Using his ‘noodle’ Smuggler pleads ignorance

A Malaysian man implicated in a drug trafficking case pleaded ignorance of what was strapped to his body at Phnom Penh’s Municipal Court yesterday.

Ahamad Johari Chung, 23, and Choi Chun Tung, 44, a Chinese national, stand accused of drug possession and trafficking. Cambodian authorities stopped Chung en route to Taipei at Phnom Penh International airport with 1.068 kilograms of heroin strapped to his body.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A customs official peels a package of heroin from Chung's leg last year at the Phnom Penh International Airport. Photo supplied

Tung remains at large. Chung said he met Tung through a friend. When Tung invited him for an all-expenses-paid vacation in Cambodia, Chung accepted.

While in Phnom Penh, said Chung, Tung asked him to carry packages of white powder to Taipei. When he refused, Tung and another man forcefully strapped the packages to Chung’s body while assuring him they only contained noodle powder.

Chung’s lawyer requested a lighter sentence due to Chung’s belief Tung enlisted him to smuggle noodle powder. The court is expected to reach a verdict on May 25.

Contact author: Niem Chheng

MOST VIEWED

  • With herd immunity likely in 2022, is Cambodia ready to reopen for tourism?

    The government aims to inoculate 80 per cent of the target population by June next year, giving it a head start among regional peers to reboot the sector but first, it has to do a few things to up its game A sign on a glass

  • US wants 'full access' to Ream Naval Base

    On June 11, the US embassy's Defense Attaché Colonel Marcus M Ferrara visited Ream Nava Base in coordination with Cambodian officials following the recent approval of Prime minister Hun Sen to allay the concerns on Chinese military presence at the base as raised by US Deputy

  • Jab drive heading to 5 provinces

    The government is set to vaccinate more than 1.2 million people in five provinces after finishing with Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kandal in an ongoing campaign administered by the ministries of Health and National Defence. The five provinces are Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampong Cham

  • New immigration bill targets illegal foreigners in Kingdom

    General Department of Immigration (GDI) officials are discussing revisions to the new draft law on immigration to prevent foreigners from entering Cambodia illegally and to supervise those living in the Kingdom more effectively. The revisions draw wide support among civil society organisations. GDI director-general Kirth

  • Kingdom set to be a gold producer

    Cambodia will soon join the roster of gold producing countries after the government announced the commencement of commercial gold mining operations in the Okvau area in southwestern Mondulkiri province's Keo Seima district from June 21. Prime Minister Hun Sen on June 10 announced that after 14 years of

  • School reopening can’t wait

    With the Covid-19 pandemic now well into its second year, safely reopening schools has become an urgent priority. School attendance is critical for children’s education and lifetime prospects. The long-term costs of closures – both for individual children and society – are simply too large to




Related articles