Navy arrests 4 Cambodian rosewood smugglers

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Royal Thai Navy ships intercepted a Cambodian fishing boat illegally smuggling 10 million baht in Siamese rosewood out of the kingdom.

The HTMS Chao Phraya staffed with military, customs and forestry office personnel captured the 18-meter-long fishing vessel carrying 296 logs in its fish holds April 28 in Rayong Bay. Officers arrested captain Son Kongkaew, 39; and three crewmembers identified only as Mad, 23; Mike, 23; and No, 47.

The boat was carrying flags from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, which were used alternately to disguise its origin. Navy officials said the smuggled logs were to be offloaded in Vietnamese waters.

Officials inspect the smuggled rosewood found in the fish holds of this Cambodian fishing boat.Officials inspect the smuggled rosewood found in the fish holds of this Cambodian fishing boat.