China customs uncovers dinosaur skeleton smuggling
( 2002-07-17 09:13 ) (8 )

China's customs have seized 2,080 ancient animal fossils and 10 dinosaur skeletons from a smuggling ring, sources from the General Administration of Customs said on Tuesday.

Customs in the northeast China cities of Changchun and Shenyang have jointly been investigating the suspected fossil smuggling since July 10. They arrested all five alleged smugglers at Huichun, a port city in Jilin province on July 13.

288 fossils and the 10 dinosaur skeletons were seized on the spot and another 1,792 fossils were discovered during a search of one suspect's home.