NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
July 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION FORCES SEIZE STOLEN IRAQI ARTIFACTS
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Soldiers from the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion seized 12 Iraqi artifacts while conducting a raid on a residence of a suspected smuggler here on July 7.
The artifacts consisted of miniature statues, a skull and a clay bowl. A local archeologist determined one of the artifacts to be pre-Samarian, dated 3000 - 3200 BC. According to the archeologist, all of the pieces had been previously at the Baghdad Museum.
The artifacts were found wrapped in towels in a rice bag in the residence along with AK-47s, grenades, several million Iraqi dinar and communications equipment.
Coalition forces also detained two prospective buyers. All individuals are being detained pending further investigation.
For additional information contact:
CJTF-7 COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
914 360 5082/5089
-30-
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