Members of the task force that conducted an anti-logging operation in the Prey Lang Sanctuary pose for a photograph which one of the seized logs. Royal Cambodian Army
A total of 285 sawn planks, as well as uncut logs, were discovered by environment rangers and military officers during a four-day crackdown on illegal logging in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary, in Stung Treng province’s Siem Bouk district. The perpetrators managed to flee the scene.
Between December 29, 2024, and January 1, 2025, environmental and military forces collaborated on the operation, to prevent and suppress illegal logging in Siem Bouk commune.
According to a January 3 statement by the Royal Cambodian Army, they discovered 35 felled hardwood trees and 285 sawn planks, which totalled some nine cubic metres.
Additionally, the operation uncovered three tractors and one chainsaw, which were seized as evidence.
Sreng Chea Heng, head of the provincial Department of Environment, noted that the perpetrators were not apprehended as they had already fled the area when the authorities arrived.
He added that the suspects came from Kampong Thom province, crossing about one kilometre into Stung Treng province to conduct their illegal activities.
“The loggers had escaped. Normally, they do not wait for us to arrest them,” Chea Heng said.
“From what we can tell, the logs were intended for building homes for local people. Most of the activity is not linked to any company but rather to the construction of houses. We managed to seize some evidence, although the area was remote,” he added.
He explained that, in accordance with the law, a team of investigators would prepare a case to be sent to the courts.
Chea Heng also shared that more than 70 cases were forwarded to the courts in 2024, most of them involving illegal deforestation for private land ownership.
The operation was led by Lieutenant Colonel Huot Sokra, deputy commander of Military Region 1, in collaboration with regional forces and environmental rangers from the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.
The operation involved 13 personnel, including Kean Kimsan, deputy chief of Anlong Chrey Substation, who led the environmental officials that investigated the crimes.
This operation followed directives from General Mao Sophan, deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Brigadier General Ly Sorarith, commander of Military Region 1.
Last week, environment rangers at the Veal Pi Outpost of the Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary, in cooperation with the national military police and Wildlife Alliance, intercepted an illegal shipment of yellow vine in a van in Anlong Vak Village, in Koh Kong district and province’s Tatai Commune, according to the Ministry of Environment.
Yellow vine, a critically endangered vine, is reportedly processed into a powder which may be used for medicinal purposes or even the production of illegal drugs. It is illegal to export the plant.
Twenty sacks of yellow vine weighing approximately 1,300 kilogrammes were seized and two suspects were arrested. The evidence was impounded at the Veal Pi Outpost, while the suspects were sent to the provincial environment department for legal proceedings.
