Three foreigners suspected of concocting an elaborate cocaine trafficking plot have been arrested in Cambodia and were sent to court yesterday, according to police.

In Song, chief of staff at the Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Drug Department, said police arrested American woman Nancy Lela Meyer, 32, at Phnom Penh International Airport on August 31 with 1.2 kilograms of cocaine smuggled in the lining of her suitcase.

Song alleged Meyer brought the drugs from Brazil through Ethiopia and Hong Kong before landing in Cambodia.

He said she was then allegedly planning to hand the drugs over to Thai national Tipparat Mueanchan, 30, who was due to traffic the cocaine across the border to Thailand.

Mueanchan and Nigerian national Fortune Egwuonwu, 33, were arrested on Saturday in connection with the plot.

Song said Egwuonwu, who had been living in Phnom Penh, denied any involvement in the trafficking scheme. Song said he was still detained as a potential associate of Mueanchan.

The suspects were sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court, but had not been charged as of yesterday.