Cambodian Banteay Meanchey authorities seized more than 10,000 amphetamine pills and arrested five, local media reported Monday.

Five men were arrested by police officials in Banteay Meanchey province on Friday for trafficking the illegal amphetamine pills, The Cambodia Press Review said.

Following a careful investigation, police first stopped and arrested Banteay Meanchey province residents Phum Sothun, 32, and Teab Sahan, 19, while the pair were driving in a car, said Roth Sreng, chief of the province's military police.

Roth Sreng said police went on to arrest three other men in Serei Sophorn district on suspicion of illegal trafficking, based on confessions made by Phum Sothun and Teab Sahan, according to the newspaper.

Police seized another 8,000 amphetamine pills from Phum Sothun's house after he admitted to hiding the drugs there.

Roth Sreng said the suspects were attempting to sell the drugs for distribution in Thailand through the Poipet International Gateway, according The Cambodian Press Review.

"Those smugglers confessed to us that this was the second time they tried to sell drugs to the neighboring country," said the senior military police officer. "The drugs were imported from a country where monitoring is loose."

The men are currently in prison in Banteay Meanchey province awaiting trial.

Although authorities have recently cracked down on illegal drugs across the country, the trade is increasing alarmingly.

Source: Xinhua