According to the Ministry of Environment, rangers patrolling Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary detained two suspects in a case involving natural-resource offences and illegal weapons possession. They seized one folding-stock AK-47 rifle, ammunition and some means of transport at អូរអង្ហែង in ពូរ៉ាប៉ែត village, ក្រង់តេះ commune, Pech Chreada district, on the morning of July 26, 2026.
Commenting on the case, ហាស់ វិបុល, identified in the report as director of the Mondulkiri provincial environment department, said illegal weapons possession and unauthorised hunting inside a protected natural area are serious offences contrary to the Environment and Natural Resources Code.
The department director said rangers had taken both suspects and all the evidence to the Mondulkiri provincial environment department for questioning and preparation of a case file for referral to the court, to be handled under applicable legal procedures without exception.
He also urged all residents, particularly those living in and around protected areas, to stop illegal hunting, land clearance and the setting of wildlife traps immediately.
According to ហាស់ វិបុល, wildlife and forests are valuable natural assets and the lifeblood of Mondulkiri’s ecosystems. He said everyone has a duty to help protect and conserve them and report offences so that these resources can be preserved for future generations.
By ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
