Baghdad: The National Security Service has announced the successful recovery of a significant collection of rare artifacts and the arrest of several individuals involved in smuggling activities.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Service stated that the recovered items include five statues, five pottery pieces, a cylinder seal, and ancient coins. These artifacts have been confiscated and are set to be handed over to the relevant authorities for safekeeping in accordance with legal regulations.

The operations, which were conducted across the governorates of Kirkuk, Nineveh, Anbar, Babylon, and Wasit, were based on precise intelligence and authorized judicial warrants. They led to the seizure of hundreds of artifacts, manuscripts, and rare gold coins. Among those arrested were traders and smugglers of cultural heritage, along with a government employee caught illegally subdividing and selling archaeological sites in Nineveh.

Officials have confirmed that all suspects have been referred to the competent judicial authorities for further legal proceedings.