Cambodian authorities are searching for a Chinese man who was allegedly behind the illegal sausage casing manufacturer that was shut down last week in Kampong Speu after it was discovered to be using forbidden chemical substances, an official said yesterday.

Toch Yuthea, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Interior’s committee to combat fake goods, said after interrogating two people officials were able to determine that a Chinese man, identified as Je Son, was the one behind the illegal activities at the factory in Ping Pong Thmey village in Odong district.

Yuthea said he questioned the manager Chey Rotha and interpreter Ving Huy, who had been working at the site. Initially, officials suspected Huy might be the owner, but it was later determined that he was just a translator.

The operation had a total of 10 workers, and had been operating for about two years.

“Ving Huy is the interpreter, and he will work with me to arrest the Chinese man,” Yuthea said. “However, the Chinese man escaped to China already.”

Khem Samun, Odong district police chief, said he had deployed dozens of men to guard the shuttered operation.