Police have seized 151 ancient artifacts, including two coffins, dozens of statues and 97 coins, from a man suspected of illegally excavating the objects and planning to sell them, the Interior Ministry of Egypt said. The Tourism and Antiquities Police Sector identified the suspect during an investigation into the illegal trade in antiquities. Authorities said the man lives in the Abu Qurqas district of Minya Governorate, south of Cairo.
The case follows other efforts to combat the illicit antiquities trade in Egypt. In a previous case, Egyptian authorities arrested two men accused of taking hundreds of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts from the seabed near Alexandria.
Police recover coffins, statues and ancient coins
Police obtained legal authorization before carrying out the latest operation in coordination with the Public Security Sector and the Minya Security Directorate. Authorities later arrested the suspect in Minya.
Police said the seized collection included two ancient coffins and 37 statues made of limestone, bronze and faience. Officers also recovered a statue base, an amulet, three vessels, a pottery flask and 97 metal coins, along with several other archaeological objects.
فى إطار جهود أجهزة مكافحة جرائم حيازة القطع الأثرية والإتجار بها حفاظاً على ثروات البلاد وتراثها القومى .. فقد أكدت معلومات وتحريات قطاع شرطة السياحة والآثار قيام أحد العناصر الإجرامية (مقيم بدائرة مركز شرطة أبو قرقاص) بحيازة قطع أثرية بقصد الإتجار بها.
عقب تقنين الإجراءات تم… pic.twitter.com/Lu6vXjoESD
— وزارة الداخلية (@moiegy) September 15, 2026
During questioning, the suspect told investigators that the artifacts had been uncovered through illegal excavation in a mountainous area of Abu Qurqas, according to authorities. Police said he also admitted that he intended to sell the objects.
Experts trace artifacts to three periods of Egyptian history
Minya has yielded significant archaeological finds through authorized excavations as well. Earlier this year, archaeologists discovered rare 5,000-year-old Egyptian tombs at Gabal El-Tair in Minya, including Early Dynastic tombs and prehistoric burials.
Authorities sent the 151 seized artifacts to specialists for examination. Officials determined that all of the objects were genuine antiquities dating to Egypt’s Pharaonic, Greek and Roman periods.
Egypt steps up efforts against antiquities trafficking
Egypt has also worked with other countries to recover antiquities that have left the country illegally. In June, Greece returned six illegally trafficked ancient Egyptian artifacts after investigations confirmed that the objects had been removed from Egypt unlawfully.
The Interior Ministry said the latest operation formed part of efforts to protect Egypt’s archaeological heritage and prevent the illegal trade in antiquities. Police said legal action was taken against the suspect. Authorities did not immediately provide further details about the case.
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