Two Vietnamese nationals were arrested in Poipet town on Saturday after allegedly attempting to smuggle 22 air guns into Cambodia, police said yesterday.

According to Chea Da, military police in the Banteay Meanchey border town, the cache of air guns included 16 pistols and six rifles.

“When custom officials suspected the case [carrying the weapons], they came to talk to us who were on standby to provide security there, we took those cases and checked them and found those guns and we arrested the two,” he said, adding that about 80 air gun pellets were found.

Da identified the men as Nguyen Hong Phuc, 37, and Bui Van Manh, 26. Provincial military police commander O Borin said the suspects were being detained at his headquarters while the prosecutor continued his investigation.

“The prosecutor just sent them back to us because they have not finished questioning,” he said.

Banteay Meanchey prosecutor Teng Samey said his office was waiting on a translator to complete the interviews, which could be wrapped up as early as today.

“In the event that they are found guilty and have to serve jail time, they will have to stay in [a Cambodian] prison,” he said, though adding negotiations might yet see them returned to Vietnam after the court case had concluded.