Two alleged labour brokers were nabbed yesterday after they were caught attempting to lead 10 Cambodian workers across the Thai border in Battambang’s Sampov Loun district, provincial police said.

Battambang deputy police chief Chet Vanny told the Post yesterday that the two suspects were apprehended near a border crossing after the pair was questioned by police.

They were then transported to the provincial police station before being taken to the provincial court.

The suspects were identified as 45-year-old Phoeung Suy and 23-year-old Ty Piseth.

Sampov Loun district police chief Pich Saren confirmed yesterday that the alleged brokers were traveling with 10 labourers, seven men and three women from Battambang’s Mong Russey district, who were seeking work across the Thai border.

Head of the labour program for the Community Legal Education Center Moeun Tola said that guiding labourers abroad without proper licenses is illegal, adding that poor Cambodians frequently take the risk for the promise of higher wages.