SIEM REAP: A group of criminals freed a drug lord serving a 52-year sentence while police escorted him to a dentist appointment at a private clinic in Siem Reap.

Security footage from the dental clinic on August 17 shows three prison officials waiting outside the dentist’s office when four masked strangers suddenly enter and point guns at the officials while the prisoner calmly exists. The ones in masks then tie the officials’ hands behind their backs with zip ties.

After freeing the convict, the gunmen sped away in a Lexus and escaped. The car was later found abandoned near the Svay Dangkum commune along with five pistols, masks and other items.

Siem Reap police said that the prisoner was a 45-year-old Chinese drug trafficker who was sentenced to 52 years in prison in 2009. While serving his sentence, he complained of a toothache that made eating difficult. He was sent to the dentist previously, but did not recover and so requested another visit.

On the day of the incident, the dentist made an appointment with the patient, and the Siem Reap Provincial Prison sent the prisoner in for treatment. While the dentist was treating the man, a group of armed criminals successfully freed the man.

Siem Reap Police Chief Teng Channath told EAC News by telephone that he could not comment on the incident as authorities were investigating.