The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it has been co-operating with Malaysian and Vietnamese authorities to repatriate 18 Cambodians who were found working illegally in the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Chum Sunry said the Cambodian consulate in Ho Chi Minh City worked with Vietnamese authorities to repatriate nine Cambodians, including six children.

All were from Svay Rieng province.He said they had been “working and living illegally” as lottery-ticket sellers. They have been staying at a temporary shelter until their repatriation.

“The consulate will return the nine to Cambodia on May 31 via the Bavet International Checkpoint so Cambodian authorities can arrange to return them to their village,” Sunry said.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has worked with Malaysian authorities to repatriate nine Cambodian migrants, including four women, who were caught working illegally.

Sunry said the nine, from Kandal, Kompong Cham, Kompong Thom and Svay Rieng, arrived in Cambodia on Sunday.