Takeo province Military Police on Tuesday confiscated more than a tonne of rosewood that was stored at an abandoned house belonging to a Koh Andet district police official, authorities said today.
Ngeth Chanthy, deputy provincial Military Police chief, said the authorities carried out a crackdown after receiving information from an agent a few days ago. He added the house belongs to a man identified as a Koh Andet district police official.
“The wood was in the house, but no one lived there,” Chanthy said. “It was on its way to Vietnam because it’s close to the border.”
Chanthy said the wood belonged to a trader he identified as "Phoeun", from Borei Cholsar district.
“He called me, and said he would give me $10,000 to settle the case,” he said. “But I could not do that.”
The rosewood was transported to the provincial Military Police headquarters and was slated to be handed over to the provincial Forestry Administration.
Uk Kan, deputy chief of Koh Andet district police, acknowledged that the house where the wood was discovered belongs to his subordinate, Pin Phaeng, a mid-level official in the department.
He added that Phaeng had come to to work this morning, but left early.
Phaeng couldn’t be reached for comment today.
Chanthy said he is still investigating the case.
