Hunt for driver over timber concealment in truck in K Thom

KAMPONG Thom Forestry Administration officers are on the lookout for the owner of a lorr y which attempted to transport six cubic meters of second-grade timber concealed under charcoal in Kakoh commune, in Santuk district, Kampong Thom province, on Sunday.

The lorry was stopped by administration officers but the driver escaped.

Kampong Thom Provincial Forestry Administration head Bun Sothy told The Post on Tuesday that his officers and the Taing Krasaing Forestry Administration have been investigating the case and were searching for the driver.

“The lorry was attempting to transport timber from Preah Vihear to Phnom Penh. The authorities stopped it in Kakoh commune where they found the timber after a tip-off from secret agents,” he said.

After receiving the tip-off, authorities sought permission from the Kampong Thom Provincial Court to search the lorry.

After taking off a top layer of charcoal, the second-grade timber was found underneath.

“This type of timber is used f or building houses. The authorities have confiscated it and it will be kept at the Taing Krasaing Forestry Administration.

“We are investigating to identify the owner and driver of the lorry. When the lorry driver saw the authorities, he immediately stopped and fled on foot,” Sothy said.

Kampong Thom provincial police chief Ouk Kosal and Santuk district police chief Mao Chanthy declined to comment on the matter.

Santuk di s t r i c t mili t ar y police commander Srey Samnang said his officials did not take part in the operation as there was no request.

On Tuesday, loca l media ident i f ied t he ow ner of t he timber as a person ca lled Dy. The media repor ts cla imed that Dy is a nephew of a power f u l person a nd t herefore una f ra id of t he l aw or a ny repercussions from the illegal activ it y.