Abu Dhabi seizes five gold coins worth Dh2.5m

Abu Dhabi police arrested three Arab men trying to sell five gold coins worth nearly Dh2.5 million as part of efforts to combat trade in historical items.

A police undercover persuaded the three to sell him the coins, four of which are genuine, before other police men swooped and seized the three.

The coins are made of pure gold and date back to different Islamic ages, including the Ottoman and Fatimid periods - hundreds of years ago.

Police said those arrested were a 29-year-old clerk, and two van drivers aged 27 and 28 years, adding that they had received a tip off about the plan by the three that they intend to sell the coins.

“After handing the coins to our undercover, who paid them Dh2.5million, we raided the place and arrested the three,” the Arabic language daily Alittihad said, quoting Colonel Rashid bu Rushaid, Abu Dhabi CID chief.