Turkey: 3 nabbed as bid to smuggle ancient coins foiled

By Halil Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) – Three suspects were arrested and over 3,500 coins dating back to the Byzantine era recovered in an operation in Istanbul, a security source said on Thursday.

Anti-smuggling teams received information that a criminal group was planning to smuggle historical artifacts abroad, said the source, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Raids were carried out in Istanbul’s Fatih and Avcilar districts on Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to the recovery of 3,540 ancient coins and the arrest of three suspects, the source added.

* Writing by Havva Kara Aydin