A British man reported missing in Cambodia has been arrested there accused of trying to smuggle £200,000 of cannabis into the UK.
Robert Brown, 41, from Newcastle, was reported missing by his girlfriend just hours before he was detained at Phnom Penh International Airport on June 17.
He has been charged with the use, possession, trafficking, and transport of drugs after police found nearly 20kg of cannabis in 22 packages hidden inside his luggage.
If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
His arrest was announced by the capital’s anti-drug department which posted a photo of him, with his face blurred, in custody.
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It said a British male aged 41 had been detained after police ‘seized 22 pieces of dry marijuana, equivalent to 19 kg 902 grams’.
Hours earlier, another post – since removed – was shared on social media in a group for expats in Cambodia, Mail Online reports.
A user named ‘Kasey Kasey’ wrote: ‘Missing in Cambodia. Goes by the name of Robert Brown, he’s 40 years of age, Geordie lad, broad accent.
‘Was meant to return to the UK today, but didn’t board a plane and has left his luggage in the hotel room.
‘Please share and hopefully he’s found thanks. He was staying at the Old Durbar Hotel Restaurant.’
A spokesperson for the foreign office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who was detained in Cambodia and are in contact with the local authorities.’
The arrest is the latest in a series of incidents involving Brits abroad being detained on suspicion of drugs smuggling.
Bella May Culley’s is among the more high-profile cases.
The 18-year-old from Billingham on Teesside, was reported missing in Thailand before it emerged she had been arrested at Tbilisi Airport in Georgia.
The aspiring nurse, who is said to be pregnant, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years or life imprisonment in the post-Soviet country if she is convicted over a cannabis haul worth £200,000.
Her case was followed by that of Charlotte May Lee, 21, who is currently in prison in Sri Lanka, also accused of trying to run the drug out of Thailand.
Last month, a British couple were arrested in Spain after 32kg of cannabis was discovered in two suitcases.
That same day, an electrician from Cumbria narrowly escaped a death sentence in Bali after initial drug trafficking charges against him were dropped, and instead replaced with hiding information from the authorities.
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