A military officer was allegedly caught illegally transporting one tonne of luxury timber in Kandal province’s Ponhea Leu district yesterday after the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces truck he was driving crashed into a bulldozer, police said.

Second Lieutenant Seng Savoeun, a penal police officer in Ponhea Leu district, said Major Sa Reap, 44, was taking the rosewood and other luxury timber from Pursat towards Phnom Penh.

“[Reap] drove very fast and hit a bulldozer that was parked near the street, causing the wood, which was hidden, to appear,” he said.

Keo Sarin, a forestry officer in Ponhea Leu district, said Reap had been released after questioning based on a guarantee from his unit, but that the truck and wood were still in custody.

“[He] has no legal documents or authorisation to transport this wood. He illegally transported it,” he said.

Reap, Defence Minister Tea Banh and ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat could not be reached for comment.