UPDATE - Over 170 historical artifacts seized in Turkey

UPDATES WITH ARTIFACTS SEIZED IN CANAKKALE, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, MINOR EDITS

By Orhan Kuzu, Esber Ayaydin, Resit Dag and Burak Akay

KARABUK/SANLIURFA, CANAKKALE, Turkey (AA) – At least 171 historical artifacts were seized in Turkey on Monday, sources said.

In the Black Sea province of Karabuk, gendarmerie forces found 90 coins and 25 other historical artifacts in an operation.

The suspects, who were rounded up in the operation, were later released by a local court.

Separately, a 400-square-meter oubliette from the Roman period was found during illegal excavations in the southeastern Sanliurfa province.

The anti-smuggling and organized crime unit of gendarmerie forces learned that four suspects were carrying out illegal excavations in Viransehir district, according to sources.

The security forces carried out an operation, and held four suspects. They were engaged in illegal excavation, and unearthed the secret dungeon.

A sword, silver cross, chain, and equipment for excavation were seized following a search in the underground area.

Additionally, in the northwestern Canakkale province, police raided an address where a suspect was staying following a hunt for suspected smugglers in the city.

They seized 28 coins and 28 historical artifacts, with some thought to belonging to the Ottoman era.