Turkish security forces have seized a bunch of Roman-era historical artifacts in an anti-smuggling operation in capital Ankara on Wednesday.

The anti-smuggling unit of Ankara Police conducted a search in a vehicle in the Etimesgut district upon suspicion, reports said.

Police found two different sized bottles, two metal statues, a dragon-head candlestick, 36 objects, seven rings and 590 ancient coins believed to be from the Roman era, during the operation.

Suspects identified as S.K., and A.G. were detained in connection with the smuggling incident.

Thousands of anti-smuggling operations are carried out across Turkey every year to halt the illegal sale of historical objects and protect the country's rich cultural heritage. The issue is crucial to a country that is home to about 3,000 ancient cities from 42 civilizations and whose tourism industry relies on its rich historical heritage to attract millions of foreign visitors each year.