SIHANOUKVILLE: Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities have announced that they have found a total of 495 foreigners who have committed at least six different offenses, after inspecting Xing Shan Ting center from 13-17 September in Sihanoukville.

The Preah Sihanouk provincial administration announced on Sunday, 18 September, that 495 foreigners holding four different nationalities, were arrested. This includes 51 women and 141 illegal immigrants who are ready to be deported (130 Chinese nationals and 11 Vietnamese nationals). In addition, 262 foreigners were found to be working without work permits, for which authorities collected fines worth a total of 131,000,000 riel (approximately US $32,200), and an additional US $78,840.

The provincial administration added that the Department of Labor also issued a fine of 6,720,000 riel (approximately US $1650), to the enterprises that employed illegal immigrants.

During the five-day operation, the provincial coalition forces identified offenses such as illegal gambling, illegal detention and torture, illegal possession of weapons, and prostitution and human trafficking, for which 27 foreigners were arrested, including 12 suspects, five victims and 10 sex workers. Additionally, authorities confiscated four small firearms, 8,776 mobile phones, 804 desktop computers and 16 laptops, 36 passports, 12 storage devices, four pairs of handcuffs, eight electric batons, two flashlights, as well as some documents and money.

The Xing Shan Ting Center (also known by the name Chang Chheng) is located on Lot 27, Village 3, Sangkat 3, Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk Province. The property has three buildings (Building A has 3 floors, Building B has 2 floors and Building C has 3 floors), which hold a total of 332 bedrooms, 267 living areas, 51 study rooms, 11 restaurants, one mart, one fruit shop, one hairdresser and one entertainment area.

The Minister of Interior, DPM Sar Kheng, has decided to close down operations at this center to continue investigations into money laundering, illegal gambling and illegal possession of weapons, and to also continue the search for the arrest of the ringleader.