On September 25, the Khmer Times reported that, according to the directive dated September 23 of Minister of Home Affairs Sar Sokha, Lieutenant Colonel pov Rithy, Deputy Commander of the Border Guard Battalion No. 891 in Banteay Meanchey province, was officially suspended from duty pending the court's investigation.
Previously, on September 17, the Poipet city's donation force searched Lieutenant Colonel Rithy's villa in Phsar Kandal ward. As a result, the authorities discovered 55 boxes of prohibited goods from Thailand, mainly perfume, hidden to prepare for transportation to Phnom Penh for sale on the market.
Colonel Keo Piseth, Deputy Military Commander of Poipet City, said the goods were smuggled despite a ban on trade exchanges with Thailand due to border tensions and the closure of bilateral border gates. The two cars in the villa were also temporarily detained to serve the investigation.
It is noteworthy that when the raid took place, Lieutenant Colonel Rithy was not at home.
The Cambodian Home Affairs Ministry also said it is investigating further incidents involving Major pov Ratana, the son of Lieutenant Colonel Rithy, and the Maila Border Control Station Chief. Both are suspected of organizing the illegal crossing of the border between 13 Cambodian citizens to Thailand on September 20.
On the same day, these 13 people were arrested by Thai authorities in Aranya Prathet district, Sa Kaeo province - the area opposite the Poipet border gate.
We are working with relevant agencies to clarify the responsibility of each individual in the smuggling ring and the illegal crossing of the border, said Defense spokesperson Touch Sokkhak.
The incident shocked Cambodian public opinion, especially in the context that the government of this country is making efforts to tighten border management with Thailand to prevent smuggling, illegal labor and transnational criminal networks.
Lieutenant Colonel Rithy and his son have not yet responded. The authorities affirmed that they will handle it strictly to ensure deterrence, while affirming their determination in the fight against corruption and border crimes.
