Preah Sihanouk provincial police detained seven Chinese nationals on Sunday and are on the hunt for two others for illegally confining four casino patrons in the early hours of the same day.

Provincial police chief Chhuon Narin told The Post on Sunday that during the raid, police rescued four Chinese men who had been handcuffed at the casino in Sihanoukville’s Commune III.

“We are questioning the seven and hunting their two Chinese accomplices. We are still working on the case. The four Chinese detainees are fine. They were not tortured,” he said.

He said police seized two pistols, some bullets and two army knives as evidence.

Narin said the raid followed a report from local residents about a heated argument and subsequent brawl among a group of Chinese outside the casino in the early hours of Saturday.

Cheap Sotheary, the provincial coordinator for right groups Adhoc, called on the authorities to strengthen security to restore the province’s image and draw tourists back to the coastal attraction.

“We want police to increase their presence. They should permanently patrol places frequented by residents and tourists alike at night so that they can feel secured about security in the province,” she said.