Authorities seized more than 200 kilograms of trafficked wildlife in two cases in Mondulkiri on Wednesday. Provincial Environment Department Director Keo Sopheak said four men on two motorbikes were arrested hauling 100 kilos of illegal wildlife meat out of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary.
However, only one arrest was made, of suspect Moch Tuch, who allegedly carried a homemade rifle. The other men escaped. Separately, Wildlife Alliance and Forestry Administration officials arrested 29-year-old Sen Monorom market vendor Som Kimsang and seized 116 kilos of wildlife, the FA’s Chhuon Sereyvort confirmed.
The haul included several types of meat and two live monitor lizards. Kimsang was fined 20 million riel, or about $5,000, and let go after signing a pledge not to trade in wildlife again.