Seven men suspected of transporting luxury wood out of Prey Lang forest in Kampong Thom province without authorisation have been arrested in Kratie.

The group, who are believed to be employees of businessman Chhay Chreay, were arrested at midnight on Thursday, according to Sum Sokhim, deputy police chief of Kratie province.

“These suspects were arrested by our provincial forces while they were illegally transporting luxury woods from Prey Lang in Kampong Thom province to Kratie,” he said. He added that police had confiscated a large quantity of luxury wood, as well as the truck in which it as being transported in.

The suspects were then sent to the provincial police station for questioning. A senior police officer at the station, who asked not to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said that the seven suspects were released yesterday, but that the truck and wood would remain at the police station until Chreay himself came forward.

“The seven suspects have been released because they were not the owners of the wood and truck seized,” the officer said. “We have now invited the owner of wood and truck to [come to] the police.” Chreay could not be reached for comment.