Fourteen villagers arrested for illegal logging in Phnom Kravanh district by the national military police on Friday were released with a warning after they agreed not to repeat the offence, officials said.

Kravanh Forestry Administration chief Phann Phanith said on Sunday that San Sokong, 45, and 13 of his neighbours living in Tuol Kruos village, Vel Veng district, in Pursat province, were caught loading timber onto their trucks on Friday afternoon.

He said investigations showed the villagers had logged two types of the luxury-grade timber – Sokroam and Chheutiel – measuring about 9.63 cubic metres.