CAIRO, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian police have arrested four people for smuggling stolen archaeological treasures and seized 54 ancient artifacts, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
Police in central Egypt's Assuit province suspected four people who frequently visited a hotel, met with strangers, and exchanged bags.
The police stopped them and found stolen artifacts in their bags, the statement added.
Legal action was initiated against the suspects, who admitted to smuggling and selling the ancient artifacts, it added.
Home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, Egypt has long been facing the problem of illegal trade in antiquities. Last week, Egypt recovered an ancient statue smuggled to Switzerland. ■
