PHNOM PENH, April 30 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian court on Tuesday sentenced three Thai nationals to life in prison for trafficking illicit drugs, according to a verdict.
Phanthep Vidya, 44, Kriengsak Makaklikun, 34, and Nakrong Rith Chak Insuk, 25, were arrested in the capital Phnom Penh in August last year with 41.7 kg of narcotics. During the raid, police also shot dead a 28-year-old Thai drug suspect named Natthapong Polkhan in a crossfire.
"The trio were charged with transporting, trafficking, and storing illicit drugs and possessing weapons without permission," said the verdict pronounced by Phnom Penh Municipal Court presiding judge Le Sokha.
"The court decided to sentence each of them to life imprisonment," the verdict said.
Under the kingdom's law, the convicts have one month to file an appeal against the verdict.
Cambodia has ramped up efforts in combating illicit drugs since August last year when Prime Minister Hun Manet took office.
The kingdom detained 7,128 drug-related suspects, including 237 foreigners, during the January-April period this year, seizing a total of 3.87 tons of narcotics, according to the Anti-Drug Department. ■
