Phnom Penh Municipal Court on April 8 questioned a Kampot provincial deputy police chief and two other associates for possession of nearly 2kg of drugs after Ministry of Interior anti-drug police arrested them on April 6 in Srah Chak commune of the capital’s Daun Penh district.

Deputy National Police chief Mak Chito, who is also deputy secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, told The Post on April 8 that the three suspects had been sent to court in connection with nearly 2kg of methamphetamine (ice).

Chito identified the trio as Im Chhuon, 51, Kampot provincial deputy police chief in charge of fire and explosives; Keo Tith Mesa, 21; and Hong Kea, 61. Both men are Chhuon’s associates

“Police arrested the suspects and will send the case to the Phnom Penh municipal court on charges of drug trafficking. The police will also investigate people in other provinces because the case has many suspects,” he said.

However, Chito didn’t reveal the identities of other suspects the police are searching for because it could compromise the investigation.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Kuch Kimlong told The Post on April 8 that the court still has the suspects under investigation.

Soeng Sen Karuna, spokesman for tights group Adhoc, told The Post on April 8 that police should punish the law enforcement officials who had committed the offence severely.

He said it affected the honour and reputation of other police officers who are performing their duties to improve social stability and security.

“We would like some other individuals to be investigated further because such a case is not limited to a few individuals, it can concern many others,” he said.