ANKARA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have seized 4,996 pieces of smuggled cultural relics, state-run TRT broadcaster reported on Wednesday.

       As many as 4,880 coins and other ancient objects were seized during gendarmerie operations in Ankara's Mamak district upon a tip-off, while 116 relics were seized during a separate anti-smuggling bust in the Sincan district.

       The items have been handed over to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, the TRT reported.

       Turkey boasts abundant heritage sites, which are prone to illegal excavations and smuggling. Turkish authorities carry out hundreds of anti-smuggling operations each year to curb the crimes.