19.02.2026 18:53
A person who dug a 40-meter deep and 3-meter wide well in their garden in Hatay to search for treasure was caught. At the scene, a load-bearing crane, generator, gas mask and filter, detector, archaeological search rod, breaker, numerous picks, shovels, ropes, and electrical cables were seized, and the individual was taken into custody.
The person named C.K., living in the Çağlalık neighborhood of Payas district in Hatay, was detected by gendarmerie teams conducting illegal excavation in the garden of his house.
DUG A WELL 40 METERS DEEP AND 3 METERS WIDE IN HIS GARDEN
Under the coordination of the Dörtyol Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, fieldwork was conducted by the Payas District Gendarmerie Command regarding smuggling crimes related to cultural and natural artifacts. During searches conducted at the suspect's residence, land, and garden, a tunnel approximately 40 meters deep and 3 meters wide, equipped with electrical and ventilation systems, and a pit of a certain width and height were detected.
CRANE, GENERATOR, GAS MASK, DETECTOR...
At the scene; a load-bearing crane, generator, gas mask and filter, detector, historical artifact search rod, breaker, numerous picks, shovels, ropes, and electrical cables were seized. It was learned that search activities would be carried out together with gendarmerie officials and AFAD teams in the tunnel and pits, and the inside of the tunnel would be identified.
HE WAS DETAINED
The suspect named C.K. was detained for the crime of "conducting excavation without permission."