Five human traffickers allegedly masquerading as representatives of a recruitment agency were arrested on Friday for attempting to smuggle 51 Cambodian workers to Thailand.

Three of the five people arrested at O’Smach international border checkpoint claimed to work for 168 Manpower Supply Company, said Lam Poly, director of the Oddar Meanchey anti-human trafficking police.

“The company took $250 to $300 per person,” Poly said, adding that legal documents were not procured prior to the failed border crossing.

But the recruitment agency’s general manager denied the suspects worked for him.

“[We] flatly reject the news. They are not my staff, so please investigate more clearly,” said Sothearith, who declined to give his full name.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reported yesterday that Thai authorities rounded up 106 undocumented Cambodian workers across the border from Banteay Meanchey. They will be repatriated.