UAE | Crime

Undercover officers foil bid to smuggle antiques worth millions

Undercover police officers foiled bid to smuggle antiques and artefacts worth millions of dirhams.

  • By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 16:48 June 22, 2008
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Undercover police officers foiled bid to smuggle antiques and artefacts worth millions of dirhams.

A gang of Arab men have been arrested for attempting to smuggle Islamic antiques and artefacts, each piece estimated to be worth over Dh10 million.

The gang were caught red handed by a team of Al Ain Police officials, who monitored them over a period of time. Dealers, middlemen and a number of other suspects have been arrested in relation to the case.

The first suspect, a Syrian man, identified only as A.A, is alleged to be the mediator. The 40-year-old is a farmer residing in Al Ain. He promoted historical artefacts like swords, coins and sculptures which dated back hundreds of years.

Undercover officers, who posed as buyers, agreed to buy one sculpture and convinced the gang to close the deal at a hotel.

A.A. with the help of a 44- year-old Yemeni dealer, identified as G.G., tried to sell a sculpture of a pregnant woman to the officers. However, it was later discovered that this was a fake of an ancient masterpiece.

The police discovered that G. G had been arrested earlier on similar charges while A.A was wanted by the Sharjah Police for charges related to breach of trust and breach of Naturalisation and Residency Laws.

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