Sudan Events – Agencies
The police have announced the arrest of a criminal network run by foreign nationals specializing in the theft of cultural artifacts, the illegal trade of narcotics, and psychotropic substances in the Nile River State.
According to the police press office, the operation resulted in the seizure of a large number of stolen artifacts, including two ancient statues (one large and one small) with historical inscriptions, seven copper jugs of varying sizes, an engraved pestle and mortar, an artifact box containing a dagger, a frying pan, and other historical items. Significant amounts of local and foreign currency were also confiscated.
The police revealed that mobile phones belonging to the suspects contained photos and videos of diamonds, gold, and weapons intended for sale to foreign entities.
The police stated that the stolen artifacts were taken with the assistance of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), aiming to destabilize security and erase the country’s cultural identity.
The operation was carried out after extensive surveillance and monitoring of the network’s activities. A coordinated raid led by an officer targeted two locations: a plastic pipe factory in the Food Security area of Atbara and an apartment in the eastern district.
The raids led to the arrest of ten foreign nationals caught red-handed with rare artifacts looted from Khartoum and South Darfur. The items were reportedly prepared for smuggling abroad.
The Director of Central Criminal Investigations, Major General Abdulkarim Hamdo, emphasized the significance of this operation in safeguarding the nation’s cultural and historical wealth.
Hamdo highlighted the network’s suspicious ties to the RSF, which facilitated the execution of crimes endangering historical landmarks and national treasures.
The suspects, with a history of drug trafficking and other crimes, exploited the current security conditions to carry out their schemes, further destabilizing the country.
Hamdo reaffirmed the readiness of law enforcement to confront such crimes and deter anyone attempting to compromise Sudan’s cultural heritage and historical assets.
