Turkish customs intercepted 7,160 historical artifacts hidden across two trucks heading to Greece, in separate operation...

Turkish customs intercepted 7,160 historical artifacts hidden across two trucks heading to Greece, in separate operations at border gates in Edirne, according to a statement from Turkey's Ministry of Trade. The larger bust happened at the İpsala Customs Gate, where a truck exiting toward Greece was flagged for X-ray scanning based on risk criteria. Inspectors found 5,935 cultural assets packed inside the trailer's food and supply cabinet: 5,685 coins, 130 arrowheads, 100 rings, and 20 miscellaneous accessories. The second operation took place at the Kapıkule Customs Gate, where a routine X-ray of another Greece-bound truck turned up 1,225 undeclared coins classified as historical artifacts. Both customs points are in Edirne province, on Turkey's northwestern frontier with Greece and Bulgaria. Turkey's Ministry of Trade said the country's efforts to protect cultural heritage and stop artifact smuggling are continuing "resolutely." Investigations into both incidents are now before the relevant chief public prosecutors' offices. No suspects, nationalities, or valuations were named in the official statement. The İpsala and Kapıkule gates are two of the busiest overland crossing points between Turkey and Europe, and both sit directly on the route to Greece. Coins, arrowheads, and rings of this volume suggest the items may span multiple historical periods, though the source provides no further identification of their origin or era. The seizures are part of a wider pattern of cultural property enforcement at Turkey's land borders, where ancient artifacts from Anatolia and the broader region have historically been targets for illegal export. #Greece #Turkey #ArtifactSmuggling