KABUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities are intensifying efforts to thwart foreign mafia networks attempting to smuggle the nation's historical artifacts, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Atiqullah Azizi was quoted by local media outlet TOLOnews on Monday.
Azizi stated that specialized security units stationed at border crossings and airports are successfully intercepting illicit activities.
"Every day, dozens of cultural artifacts are prevented from being smuggled," he said, highlighting the involvement of "mafia circles supported from abroad" in these schemes.
The deputy minister also addressed ongoing challenges in preserving Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage, noting that some organizations and institutions that previously supported preservation initiatives have suspended their activities due to political reasons, leaving several projects incomplete.
Afghanistan, home to centuries-old cultural treasures, has long faced threats from looting, illicit trade, and destruction due to decades of conflict. ■
