Three South Korean nationals were arrested at Siem Reap International Airport on Saturday night after landing with more than 400 contraband smartphones in their luggage, local authorities said on Sunday.
Kong Sokpheallakun, the airport’s head of customs, said authorities arrested the first man, who had just disembarked from a flight from South Korea, at about 11:30 p.m. after a scanner alerted them to the more than 100 Apple and Samsung smartphones in his suitcase.
He said the man informed them of two more colleagues, who were apprehended 15 minutes later with another 300 phones between them.
“When we found out that two more were coming, we asked to check their suitcases and found 300 smartphones, and they didn’t have permission to import them legally,” he said. He referred additional questions to the Customs Department.
The department’s public relations chief, Bou Bunnara, said he only knew what was being reported in local media.
“I haven’t received the report yet, so I will see tomorrow if they will be only fined or if they will face jail,” he said.
