C.B.P. News Release

CBP Returns Suspected Stolen Antiquities to Mexico

(Friday, September 19, 2008)

San Bernardino, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials yesterday returned two centuries-old artifacts, one believed to date back to 200 BC, to the San Bernardino, Calif., consulate general of Mexico. They were illegally imported into the United States in 2004.

Two Los Angeles CBP officers representing the CBP Portland, Ore., field operations office presented the artifacts to Acting Consul General Jeremias Guzman Barrera during a ceremony at the San Bernardino County Museum.

“On behalf of the government of Mexico, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the government of the United States and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for returning these priceless artifacts to my country,â€