Notorious ex-military police officer charged

Former military police officer Sou Marith sits in custody at a Mondulkiri police station on Wednesday. Photo supplied

Notorious ex-military police officer charged

Fri, 22 April 2016

Phak Seangly

Former military police officer and alleged timber trader Sou Marith and three of his associates were yesterday charged with timber smuggling and possession of illegal weapons and placed in pre-trial detention at the Mondulkiri Provincial Prison.

Mondulkiri provincial prosecutor Long Hok Meng said: “The four people were charged with collecting forestry products. But only he [Marith] is also charged with possessing a weapon illegally.”

Marith and the three men were arrested on Wednesday after authorities intercepted them in a black Lexus loaded with eight pieces of thnong wood.

Marith’s capture came nearly two years after an incident in May 2014 in which Keo Seima district authorities intercepted his timber-laden Lexus and the ex-cop pointed a gun at the district governor’s head.

His arrest on Wednesday came only after a second warrant was issued in February this year when Marith fled after firing warning shots at authorities that followed a car carrying timber to his home.