According to a statement issued by the administration, this was one of the largest security operations to protect Egyptian heritage during 2025, with customs estimates valued at 3.578 billion Egyptian pounds.
The statement explained that “6 packages containing 2,189 artifacts of various shapes, sizes, and colors were found hidden inside secret compartments under the driver’s cabin bed, specifically designed to conceal contraband in a difficult-to-access manner.”
The technical committee formed by the Antiquities Protection Unit of South Sinai reported that “the seized items include a quantity of statues and amulets in the shapes of ancient Egyptian gods like Hathor and Horus, the Ankh (key of life), and a quantity of jewelry (rings, brooches, and earrings), along with a number of coins of various sizes and shapes from different eras, as well as a quantity of ancient tools like kohl grinders and applicators, pieces of alabaster, pottery, bronze, stone materials, and wood.”
The committee added that “they all date back to different periods such as the ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Middle Kingdom, Late Period, and even the modern Islamic era.”
Recently, Egyptian Minister of Culture Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano referred several officials from the South Upper Egypt Cultural Region to investigation, following the state of the child culture palace buildings, where poor condition and lack of supervision and monitoring were observed.
The referrals included the former head of the region, the current general manager, several officials from the engineering administration, palace directors, and the security officer.
The Egyptian Minister of Culture confirmed that the incident is under investigation by the Egyptian Public Prosecution and emphasized zero tolerance in holding those responsible accountable, with continued precise field monitoring of the ministry’s projects to safeguard public funds and ensure efficient execution.
