Caught by a tip-off before they could smuggle historical artifacts

Following a planned intelligence operation by the Bursa Provincial Gendarmerie Command Intelligence Branch and the Osmangazi District Gendarmerie Command/Ovaakça Gendarmerie Station, individuals named Selami Özcan, Adil Özcan, and Salim Efe Özcan were arrested on December 8, 2023, at their residence located within the administrative boundaries of the Panayır Neighborhood (Police Zone) in the Osmangazi district, after information was received that they were planning to engage in historical artifact smuggling.

THE ITEMS FOUND DURING THE SEARCHES WERE SHOCKING

As a result of the search conducted in the suspects' homes and outbuildings:

? (64) various brands and models of treasure hunting detectors

? (8) treasure hunting pointer detectors

? (4) mercury-tipped copper rod devices used for treasure hunting

? (46) coins assessed to be of historical artifact value

? (3) unlicensed pistols

*?*(3) unlicensed shotguns

? (650) 9 mm caliber pistol cartridges

? (100) shotgun cartridges

? (18) sticks of dynamite (explosive device) prepared with fertilizer and gunpowder inside plastic pipes

? An antenna-equipped device powered by a battery used to detonate dynamite sticks with an electric current

? (300) meters of electrical cable used for detonation

? (500) grams of gunpowder

? (150) grams of ammonium nitrate

? (2) generators

? (2) power supplies (batteries)

? (1) rotary hammer drill

CRIMINAL RECORDS ALSO FOUND

Furthermore, as a result of the investigation conducted regarding the individuals, criminal records for the detained persons were also revealed.

68-year-old Selami Özcan has a total of (1) criminal record for knowingly purchasing stolen goods.

44-year-old Adil Özcan has a total of (1) criminal record for violating Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Property.

It was revealed that 19-year-old Salim Efe Özcan has no criminal record.

TWO INDIVIDUALS DETAINED

As a result of the operation and subsequent investigations, the suspects Selami Özcan and Adil Özcan were detained on December 9, 2023, to be referred to judicial authorities on charges of:

- Violation of the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Property

- Violation of Law No. 6136 on Firearms, Knives, and Other Implements

- Violation of Law No. 2521 on the Manufacture, Purchase, Sale, and Possession of Rifles, Target Pistols, and Hunting Knives Used in Hunting and Sports

- Violation of Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Property

- Unauthorized Possession of Dangerous Substances (Turkish Penal Code 174)