The Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court on June 20 placed five men and three women in pre-trial detention in relation to the trafficking of more than 33kg of drugs.

Provincial court spokesman Samrith Sokhon told The Post that the eight suspects were arrested on June 18 and had been charged with several offences.

“I can confirm that the charges include the illegal transportation, storage, trafficking, facilitation and possession [of drugs], and illegal possession of weapons,” he said.

Provincial deputy police chief in charge of anti-drug Thin Sindeth said Banteay Meanchey and Battambang provincial police on June 16 joined forces to crack down on a drug crime and seized the more than 33kg of drugs in Poipet town and Malai district which border Thailand.

“During this operation, police first apprehended the four suspects and confiscated 33kg of drugs in a house in Kilometre 4 village of Poipet town’s Phsar Kandal district,” he said, adding that the suspects’ confession led to the arrest of their three accomplices.