Three trucks carrying illegally felled luxury timber to the Preah Sihanouk Autonomous Port were held up by the Forestry Administration in Kampong Speu province on Monday, resulting in two men being arrested and four others escaping, officials said yesterday.

Cheng Ratha, deputy chief of Kampong Speu Provincial Forestry Administration, said his forces followed several loaded vehicles to Chbar Mon town, where they stopped three suspicious trucks.

According to Ratha, more than 200 pieces of illegal timber were confiscated.

A driver, identified as Chan Mony, 32, and his assistant, 24, were arrested but denied all accusations during questioning. Four truck attendants managed to escape while their load was examined, Ratha said.

“We asked them to tell us the owner of the timber, but they did not tell us,” he added.

According to Som Bora, Kampong Speu provincial deputy police chief, the two men were sent to provincial court on Monday.

Investigating prosecutor Ti Monin could not be reached for comment yesterday.