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Istanbul police seized 374 historical artifacts and objects in two anti-smuggling operations carried out in Maltepe and Beykoz, detaining 12 suspects as part of efforts to stop unregistered cultural assets from being sold or taken abroad illegally.
Teams from the Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling Crimes Branch carried out technical and physical surveillance after identifying addresses where historical artifacts were believed to be kept.
The operation focused on cultural objects that had allegedly been moved without registration inside Türkiye and were being prepared for sale to third parties.
During searches at the addresses, police found 374 artifacts and objects, including 41 taps dated to different periods of the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.
Officers also seized two Enveriye daggers, described as military memorabilia. The suspects were taken to the police department for processing.
The seized objects are expected to be delivered to relevant institutions, including the General Directorate of Foundations, Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Istanbul Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum.
Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yildiz examined the seized items at the police complex on Vatan Avenue and received information about the operation. He also congratulated the officers involved.
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