04.04.2026 13:52
Three suspects searching for treasure by conducting illegal excavations in an archaeological site in Fatih, Istanbul, were caught red-handed. One of the suspects responded to the police team's question, "What are you doing?" with, "The well overflowed."
The teams of the Istanbul Police Department's Smuggling Crimes Investigation Branch determined that treasure hunting was taking place inside a two-story wooden building in the 3rd degree archaeological site area in Cerrahpaşa.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
During the operation carried out at the mentioned building, 3 suspects were caught in the act. A 5.5-meter excavation area was identified inside the building, and tools used in the excavation works were also seized.
AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED
After their procedures at the police station, an investigation was initiated against the suspects for the crime of "violating the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets."
"THE WELL HAD OVERFLOWED"
The suspect caught in the act responded to the police team's question, "What are you doing?" with "The well had overflowed." The 3 suspects who were detained were released after their procedures at the police station.