The United States returned 30 stolen artifacts to Cambodia on Monday after more than five years of investigation into “an organized looting network” that reportedly sold the pieces to international buyers.
Ricky J. Patel, a special agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s investigative unit, said the artifacts were stolen from Cambodian temples and palaces and smuggled across borders.
“These artifacts belong to the people of Cambodia, and we are proud to participate in their recovery and their return home,” Patel said in a statement.
Among the antiques returned to Cambodia were a 10th century sculpture of Hindu deity Skanda atop a peacock and a 10th century sculpture of Hindu god Ganesha, both of which were stolen from the ancient Khmer capital of Koh Ker….