Three Nigerian nationals are being questioned by the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Anti-Drugs Intervention Unit after being arrested with 20.7kg of methamphetamine in Chamroeun Phal village in Meanchey district’s Boeung Tompun commune on Sunday night.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police Anti-Drugs Bureau chief Eav Phearith told The Post on Monday that the three male suspects suspected of involvement in drug crimes were Nigerian nationals aged 25, 30 and 35.

He said two of the men were unemployed and residing at Tony Guesthouse in Chamroeun Phal village in Meanchey district’s Boeung Tompun commune.

The third suspect, Phearith said, is a businessman who was staying at a rented house in Borey New World Chamkar Doung in Thmei village in Dangkor district’s Dangkor commune.

“The three suspects were interrogated by the police and are still being questioned. They have not been sent to the court yet because, based on their answers so far, other members of their team are still at large in Phnom Penh and we are working to find them,” he said.

The police found and confiscated 21 packets of white powder wrapped in yellow plastic, three passports, four mobile phones, some documents and two backpacks.

Phearith said in the lead-up to the bust police had followed and investigated the Nigerian suspects before gathering enough information to be able to arrest them.

Based on their confessions, he said, the men had travelled from Laos to deliver the illegal drugs to accomplices in Phnom Penh, but they were detained by the authorities while travelling.

Phearith said the police could not confirm when the three suspects would be sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court because everything must adhere to correct legal procedures.