An individual was arrested at Zamin-Uud border check-point for suspected smuggling of historically and culturally valued antiques and religious items.

The Border Intelligence Division staff stopped a Mongolian woman in the attempted to smuggle religious antique idols including brass and clay Buddhist sculptures, a horn, bell, oil lamp, a sacred instrument used in Buddhist ceremonies, and bronze age knife. Also discovered were antique items including Mongolian men’s accessories that attach to the belt such as a silver embossed knife, fire starter, chopsticks, Mongolian long-pipe with a precious nephrite stone mouthpiece, double hand carved nephrite snuff bottle, and even a piece of meteor.

After they investigate into the antique dealers in Mongolia, it was revealed that a Chinese national was behind the attempt to smuggle these items from Mongolia with the help of a Mongolian woman.

The antique dealers, who obtained the historically and culturally valued items in Mongolia illegally, are believed to sell on the goods to antiques shops in Erlian, the border city with China, where almost 80 percent of the goods are from Mongolia.

The value and price of the antique items are unknown according to the Customs officials.  According to information obtained by the Borders Intelligence Division antique smuggling has become more complicated and more organized. In this case the smuggled antique items were checked and stamped by the Customs officials. Therefore the Criminal Police Department suspect that Customs officials may be involved in the case.

The antiques and religious items will be discussed at the Board meeting whether they need to be appraised and will then to be delivered to museums.