A police officer in Tbong Khmum province was arrested on Sunday for violently resisting authorities during a crackdown on forestry crime in Ponhea Kraek district’s Trapaing Phlong commune on Saturday. At least one person was injured during the altercation.

Provincial police chief Pen Roth said on Monday that Ya Sophal colluded with loggers to fell trees and hauled timber in the commune’s Boss Chek area.

According to a report sent by provincial Forestry Administration head Kem Chhunly to the provincial department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, authorities stopped two trucks from hauling 59 pieces of rosewood weighing 1,088kg.

“During the operation, provincial police officer Ya Sophal assaulted another police officer while he worked in conjunction with forestry administration officials,” said the report.