"Various smuggling syndicates vandalise archaeological sites and old temples in India to steal the antiquities and objects of art," the paper said. Recently the agency recovered 12 pieces of 'Shahajahani' wood pillars carved with floral designs.The smuggling of psychotropic substances has also significantly increased in recent years. Seizures of ganja and hashish rose from six tonnes in 2016 to more than 16 in 2017. The DRI and other customs formations arrested 176 people in the past year during operations against drug smuggling.Smuggling syndicates are also plundering India's wildlife and scarce environmental resources. Among the seizures were the skin and skeletal remains of a Royal Bengal tiger, which are

Source: Times of India December 04, 2017 23:26 UTC