The two suspects and the evidence collected by the police after the raid on a knife shop in Tbong Khmum province. Provincial police
The Tbong Khmum Provincial Court will investigate allegations that two knife makers were coerced into $5,000 for their release, after being arrested for promoting and selling knives and daggers on social media.
The February 12 court statement followed a series of online allegations of extortion related to the case.
The court explained that following complaints to the National Police 24/7 scam helpline, Dambe district police and local police raided a knife-making business, located at a house in Trapang Pring commune’s Tuol Sambor village on February 6.
The following day, two suspects were brought to court for a case involving the sale of dangerous weapons.
Sa Soty, the 38-year-old Khmer-Muslim master knife maker and owner of the business, and In Bros Touch, his 25-year-old apprentice, were both accused of selling weapons via Facebook and TikTok.
The authorities also presented evidence confiscated during the raid, including daggers, machetes, curved knives, swords, folding knives, and the tools and machinery used to manufacture them.
After questioning the suspects, the prosecutor allowed the two men to temporarily return home, pending further investigation. The decision was made following a request from their lawyer.
“The prosecutor of the provincial court will further investigate the allegations of extortion, wherein the two knife makers were reportedly coerced into paying $5,500 to secure their release and return home,” said the court statement,.
The provincial police also released a February 12 statement. They clarified that the accusations of extortion, as raised on social media, “are not related to any law enforcement officials involved in the operation”.
They reiterated that the officers involved in the operation acted in accordance with their rights, laws, and established procedures, and adhered to professional ethics, without any discrimination based on race or nationality.
The police also pointed out that the sale and production of knives, swords, and other weapons through online platforms can easily lead to criminal activity, such as illegal use by gangsters, posing a threat to public security.
Furthermore, the Dambe district police had previously advised Soty, the knife maker, against selling weapons to any group that could misuse them in criminal activities.
