Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court on March 30 placed three men in pre-trial detention after they were arrested for theft and receiving stolen property in Poipet town.

Military Police commander Nuon Ninaro said that during the crackdown, officers detained Keo Kosal, 18, for attempting to steal a motorbike from a villager in Poipet commune on March 26.

“The suspect's confession led to the arrest of two others who had received stolen property,” he said.

Ninaro identified the two as Lay San, 49, and Penh Veasna, 25, both are residents in the commune.

According to Nuon, the suspects were sent to the provincial court on March 30 after 48 motorbikes were confiscated and impounded by the provincial Military Police.

Provincial court spokesman Teng Samai said that after questioning, the investigating judge had charged and ordered their detention at the provincial prison.

“One [Keo] was charged with theft under Article 356 of the Criminal Code and the other two [Lay and Penh] with receiving stolen properties under Article 400 of the Criminal Code,” he said.

According to Article 356, the accused face up to three years imprisonment and a fine of between one and six million riel ($250 and $1,500) if found guilty. Under Article 400, the accused face between two and five years in prison and a fine of between four and 10 million riel.