The Customs Bio Diversity Protection Unit which cracked the biggest ever attempt to smuggle out a large stock of priceless artefacts including Buddha statues belonging to 19th Century Kandyan era last January concluded the case yesterday.

The BDPU fined the Swedish national Robert Ulvenkrantz Rs.50,000 after the inquiry and released him. He was taken into custody on May 2 for attempting to leave the country with two priceless antique Buddha statues.

According to Customs Superintendent in charge of BDPU Samantha Gunasekara the case was exposed in early January when an American national was taken into custody for attempting to smuggle out 74 priceless artefacts via a private courier service in Ja-Ela.