Suspects Released After Historic Artifact Smuggling Operation

An operation against historic artifact smuggling was carried out in four provinces, with 18 individuals taken into custody.The Sivas Provincial Police Department, in coordination with the Sivas Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, conducted the operation against individuals suspected of engaging in unauthorized excavation activities. The operation, which was centered in Sivas and also carried out in Ankara, Bursa, and Düzce, resulted in the detention of 18 suspects.Among the items seized during the operation were 108 historic artifacts, including coins and objects, 8 detectors, 2 ground scanning rods, and 80 packets of smuggled cigarettes.After the suspects' procedures at the courthouse, they were released.