INDIA, October 4, 2014 (The Hindu): The Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested three persons and busted a smuggling racket on Saturday. Sleuths recovered three statues said to be from the Chola era that are estimated to be worth over US$5.2 million from the trio.
The arrested are from Mumbai in Maharashtra and Belgaum. They were caught red-handed while waiting to deliver the statues to a client.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Hemanth Nimbalkar said that the three statues — one of Nataraja and two dancers — are made of Pancha Loha (an alloy of five metals). He said that based on the stance depicted in the statue, they were able to ascertain that they belong to the Chola era.