9 Nigerian men sentenced to 5 to 8 years in prison for drug trafficking in Cambodia

Nine Nigerian nationals, including their ringleader still at large, and a Cambodian woman were sentenced to five to eight years in prison and fined a total of 126 million riel ($30,663) for drug trafficking at Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday, September 12th.

Nine out of the 10 accused were arrested on January 8, after being found in possession of nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine powder that was intended for sale around Phnom Penh. Their ringleader, Obieze Kennth Uche, also known as John remains at large. The convicts include, Tony Chukwuonye, two brothers, Okorom Favour and Okorom Kizito Chinedu, Francis Nnamdi, Simon Maduka Ukandu, SundayNwabuisi, Nna Mezie Victor, Izuchukwu Chukwuma.

"The court is ordering the arrest of Obieze Kenneth Uche," Judge Khy Chai said. "After the verdict comes into effect, all nine foreigners, after serving their jail terms, have to be deported out of Cambodia and prevented from entering Cambodia for the next five years."

On the last day of the trial, it was revealed that only two out of the 15 samples collected tested positive for meth, with 4 and 5 percent purity, respectively.

In the same hearing, Cambodian national Morm Vonyong, 25, admitted to delivering drugs to customers several times in exchange for $100. Her attorney, Lay Longdy, said he will be appealing the verdict.

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