A man was arrested on Friday in Kandal province after attempting to smuggle four rice bags filled with black pythons into Vietnam, according to local police.
Soeung Vy, 24, was transporting 85 kg of snakes on national road 21B in Koh Thom district when he was arrested.
“We found nearly 100 kg of pythons in four bags placed on his motorcycle trailer,” said Muy Chanpech, Koh Thom district police chief.
During questioning at the district police station, Mr. Vy admitted he bought the snakes in Kandal’s Sa’ang district and was planning to bring the snakes across the border to sell them, Mr. Chanpech said.
“The suspect confessed that he is really smuggling pythons to Vietnam,” he said.
After further questioning on Saturday, the suspect was charged with smuggling wildlife and is being held in Kandal provincial prison ahead of his trial.
Mr. Chanpech said police have launched an investigation to track down others who may be involved in the python smuggling operation.
