Two British men who were caught trying to smuggle more than 40 lbs of marijuana through an airport have gone on trial in Cambodia.
The suspects, identified as Robert Brown, 41, from Newcastle, and 28-year-old James, were caught with 22 bags of cannabis weighing 19.9 kilogrammes (43.87 lbs) by customs officers at Phnom Penh International Airport on 17th June, 2025.
The drugs reportedly came from Thailand, and they were trying to take them to the United Kingdom when they were arrested.
Picture shows Robert Brown, 41, from Newcastle, undated photo. He appeared in a Cambodian court after being arrested for drug smuggling. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
Both suspects appeared at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, in the capital of Cambodia, on 27th January.
After the hearing concluded, the presiding judge ruled that the case would be taken under consideration, with the verdict scheduled to be announced on 24th February.
Picture shows Robert Brown, 41, from Newcastle, undated photo. He appeared in a Cambodian court after being arrested for drug smuggling. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
Cambodian authorities have previously stated that the trafficking, transportation, storage and cultivation of cannabis are illegal under the country’s 2012 Narcotics Control Law, with drug smuggling offences carrying potential prison sentences of 20 up to 30 years.
(Aloysius Fernandes /Newsflash)