A huge haul of almost 100 cubic metres of timber of various species was impounded after they were discovered in Pursat province’s Phnom Kravanh protected area over five days this month, officials said on Thursday.

Phnom Kravanh district police chief Tann Kearith told The Post on Thursday that from April 6 to 10, the relevant authorities collected the large quantity of timber from several locations in Samrong and Rokat communes in Phnom Kravanh district.

“The wood was collected and impounded temporarily at Phnom Kravanh district police headquarters, awaiting inspection and measuring,” Kearith said.

Samrong Forestry Administration deputy chief Meas Sophorn told The Post on Thursday that most of the timber found in the raid was reach kol, which is known as a third-grade timber, while first and second-grade woods, such as sokrom, pchek, srolav, cheurtea and pteak, were also found.

“The timber was loaded on 15 trucks. Most of it had been cut into planks and lengths suitable for the construction of houses,” he said.

Phnom Kravanh district governor So Sahong, who led the joint task force, told The Post that according to a preliminary assessment, the haul amounted to almost 100 cubic metres.

“The timber has not been measured yet, but according to my assessment, it amounts to just less than 100 cubic metres. The task force gathered the timber from different locations in Samrong and Rokat communes. We used 15 trucks to transport the confiscated wood,” he said.

The timber haul, he said, would be accurately measured after the Khmer New Year.