Kun Nhem the director-general of the General Department of Customs and Excise, said on Sunday that the owner of a Cambodian business is being questioned over the discovery last week of 83 plastic-rubbish filled containers at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.

Nhem told The Post that authorities were investigating the firm, which hired Chinese employees, over its involvement in illegally importing a reported 1,600 tonnes of plastic waste from the US and Canada.

The waste would be returned to its countries of origin and fines issued when the probe is completed.

“Authorities are investigating the company to ascertain whether Chinese nationals have ownership. This is still at the investigation stage. The results will be announced shortly.

"We cannot reveal the name of the company as the investigation is ongoing,” Nhem said, adding that the waste was brought over in different phases since the end of last year.