An illegal-meat dealer was arrested in Ratanakkiri province on Monday after 65 kg of gaur meat and two heads of the endangered bovine species were discovered along with two dried tiger skins during a raid of his home, an official said.
Vong Serey, head of the Forestry Administration’s Ratanakkiri cantonment, said a joint operation involving forestry officials, police and members of the NGO Wildlife Alliance raided the home of Tri Aek, 37, in Andong Meas district and confiscated the haul, which also included 368 AK-47 bullets.
“The suspect is a middleman who bought the wild meat to sell and gave ammunition to the wildlife hunter,” Mr. Serey said.
The suspect could not afford the 23-million riel (about $5,600) fine, so was placed in provisional detention at the provincial court, he said.
On Sunday, a poacher escaped from officials in neighboring Mondolkiri province during a raid of his home that uncovered 14 kg of banteng meat and more than five heads belonging to the endangered species of ox.
