Yerlikaya told X that following operations in 24 provinces, police seized 6,325 ancient coins and 997 other historical artifacts in western Izmir province.
The minister said the suspects obtained historical artifacts belonging to Turkiye through illegal excavations and illegally sold them to auction houses abroad to gain unfair profits, Xinhua news agency reported.
An investigation into the suspects' bank account activities revealed that five auction houses in Europe and the United States transferred approximately 72 million lira (US$2.19 million) in foreign currency to the organization's leader and his family members.
Approximately 1,057 historical artefacts of Turkish origin were seized in Croatia in 2020 and returned to Turkey, which were also transported abroad as part of the organization's activities.
The minister said the suspects obtained historical artifacts belonging to Turkiye through illegal excavations and illegally sold them to auction houses abroad to gain unfair profits, Xinhua news agency reported.
An investigation into the suspects' bank account activities revealed that five auction houses in Europe and the United States transferred approximately 72 million lira (US$2.19 million) in foreign currency to the organization's leader and his family members.
Approximately 1,057 historical artefacts of Turkish origin were seized in Croatia in 2020 and returned to Turkey, which were also transported abroad as part of the organization's activities.
