Authorities sent 12 fishermen to court on Saturday, a day after they were arrested in a raid that resulted in the seizure of a hefty catch, police said.

After a tip from locals, Kampong Chhnang provincial deputy prosecutor Ek Sunreaksmey set out late on Thursday, leading a fleet of eight boats filled with volunteers and authorities to the area in Preak Korko commune, Boribo district, where the suspected illegal fishing was taking place. At 1am on Friday, the group made its move. Out of three boats, one sped away, while a scuffle broke out between the parties. Thirteen people, believed to Vietnamese nationals, were arrested, but one escaped by jumping into the water.

“During the operation, a man among the volunteer citizens got injured on the head when the group of Vietnamese used sticks to beat back our police and the citizens,” Sunreaksmey said.

Along with two boats seized, authorities confiscated nearly one tonne of fish.