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ANGERANG: Customs and excise officers have foiled an attempt to smuggle two antique cannons from Indonesia to Thailand through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Oza Olivia, head of the customs office at the airport said on Thursday that the cannon, which were made in England in 1765, were wrapped in boxes.

“Airport security officers told us that two Thai antique collectors identified as CY and AA were carrying cultural-protected items that they had bought in Jakarta,” she said.  

Customs officers then followed up the information by detaining the two collectors and seizing the cannon.

She said that based on the 2006 Law on Cultural Goods Protection, the two cannon should belong to the state.

“People may carry items which are under the protection of the law only if they have obtained permits from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture,” she said, adding that the Thai collectors had been released and returned to Thailand.