F
INANCE Minister Sam Rainsy, helped by a crack team of "untouchable" government
corruption-busters, has shut down a thriving smuggling seaport protected by
corrupt army elements.
Closing the Sre Ambel port resembled a
mini-military operation involving a so-called Mixed Operations Team from the
Ministries of Economics and Finance, National Defense and Interior.
The
cleanup involved a gun battle between the special team and corrupt elements of
the 44th Regiment of the Third Military Region who were protecting the smuggling
operation, according to a May 1 government statement.
The government
statement said in the raid the crime-busters arrested a number of smugglers and
impounded goods worth nearly $40,000 which had been imported without
duty.-Reuters
