CAIRO, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Egypt seized 526 ancient Pharaonic artifacts from an individual in Minya Province, south of Cairo, in an illegal trafficking bust, the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday.
Following a coordinated investigation with the Minya security directorate by tourism and antiquities police, the suspect was targeted and arrested, the ministry said in a statement.
During questioning, the suspect confessed that the items were obtained through illegal excavation in a mountainous area and intended for trafficking, the statement added.
Antiquities inspectors confirmed that all seized items were authentic and dated back to ancient Pharaonic eras.
Under Egyptian law, anyone convicted of illicit excavation, concealment, or smuggling of antiquities faces aggravated imprisonment, possible fines, and confiscation of both the artifacts and all the equipment, tools, and vehicles used in the illegal activities. ■