A total of 48 hisotric artifacts have been confiscated during an anti-smuggling operation in northern Turkey's Çorum province.

Gendarmerie units launched the operation after receiving information that suspects I.B., Y.D. and Ş.B. were looking for possible clients to illegally sell numerous historical objects.

During the operation, a total of 23 bronze coins, one silver coin, one silver arm-band, one silver plate, two gold diadems, one gold necklace, four gold bracelets, one gold pendant, four gold rings and 10 gold earrings dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman era were seized.

The suspects, who were detained upon the instructions of the Çorum Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, were released after necessary procedures at the gendarmerie station, while the confiscated historical artifacts were handed over to the Museum Directorate in Çorum.

Thousands of anti-smuggling operations are carried across Turkey every year to hinder the illegal sale of historical objects and protect the country's rich cultural heritage.