Middle East News
Syrian customs officials thwart artifacts smuggling attempt
Jun 14, 2007, 8:07 GMT
Damascus - Syrian customs officials thwarted an attempt to smuggle Hellenistic-age and 19th-Century artifacts to Lebanon by a foreigner, the government newspaper al-Thawra reported Thursday.
The paper said the artifacts, which were hidden in the luggage of a foreigner who was heading to Lebanon in a Syrian taxi, were seized during a routine check Wednesday night of the passengers' luggage.
It did not identify the foreigner by name or nationality.
Colonel Mash'hour Hassan, head of al-Zabadani customs department, said a picture of Virgin Mary holding Jesus dating back the 19th century, was among the seized artifacts.
Further artifacts included ancient gold coins, glass bottles, coins from the Hellenistic age, rosaries, stamps, and golden bracelets and earrings. Hassan said the artifacts were worth tens of millions of Syrian pounds.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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