Three in dock over trafficking ivory, rare wildlife bones


Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 

Three men accused of allegedly trafficking ivory and rare wildlife bones stood trial at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court recently.

Presiding Judge Im Vannak said the three accused men were identified as La Seng Nguon, 42, Sok Theara also known as Chan Sampichr, 33; and Sey Hour,42.

The trio were engaged in selling rare and endangered items and living in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district. 

Judge Vannak  said that they all were charged with two accounts  ‘possessing and selling rare and endangered samples without permission’ under Article 98 of the Law on Forestry, and with ‘Money Laundry’ under Articles  38 of  Cambodian Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Financing. 

He said that among them, La Seng Nguon was arrested and detained while Sok Theara and Sey Hour had been at large but they got court’s arrest warrant. 

He emphasized that Seng Nguon was arrested on April 6 this year after Forestry Administration Department officials raided his Antiques & Souvenir shop in Roluos commune, Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district. 

He added that after the raid the competent authorities seized a total of 19 items of rare and endangered samples [bones], including 48 kilogrammes of ivories, 35 kilogrammes of wild boars and tiger teeth and more than 30 kilogrammes of rare and endangered samples from his shop.

During yesterday’s hearing, Seng Nguon who presented at the courtroom, admitted committing an offence, saying that the rare and endangered samples seized from his shop, Sok Theara and Sey Hour who had been at large.

A verdict is due on July 21.



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