[MSN] Ahmedabad: An antique smuggling racket was exposed when Gujarat Police seized more than 200 idols from a store in an industrial area of the city.

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200 idols seized, antique dealer nabbed 
Ahmedabad: An antique smuggling racket was exposed when Gujarat Police
seized more than 200 idols from a store in an industrial area of the city.

Police found the priceless statues, including some stolen from Jain temples,
Thursday evening in a raid at a storehouse belonging to one Ismail Memon in
the Narol neighbourhood.

According to police, most of the ancient idols and statuettes are made of
marble and sandstone, the largest one being four feet tall. The idols, stone
filigree and pillars found are believed to be more than 100-year-old.

A team of the Archaeological Survey of India has inspected and certified the
seized idols to be antiques.

Police have arrested Memon and a complaint under the Antique Art and
Treasure Act has been lodged against him and two others - believed to be
Thai nationals - suspected in the racket. Memon was detained for
interrogation.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ashish Bhatia said this was the second such
seizure since April 18. Earlier, customs officials had seized 25 idols from
an Inland Container Depot in Sabarmati. A Belgian national had booked the
consignment as household goods and left for France.

According to police, the gang has been active for years and using Ahmedabad
as a base to smuggle antiques brought from different parts of Gujarat and
Rajasthan.

After the earthquake in 2001, there were reports from Kutch of idols and
statues being stolen from damaged temples and Jain shrines. 

http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=50199