ISTANBUL
At least 658 artifacts were seized and a suspect detained in an operation in Istanbul, Turkey, a security source said on Wednesday.
Anti-smuggling teams raided various addresses in the Beykoz district of the metropolis on Tuesday. They had been tipped off that a criminal group was attempting to smuggle antique items overseas.
The recovered pieces include a bronze arrow head, spearhead, statue heads and coins.
Modern day Turkey has been home to many ancient civilizations, and hence, is rich in relics. This has attracted smugglers who often plunder tombs and other archeological sites.
*Writing by Burak Bir in Ankara
