Turkish troops in an eastern Turkish city Tuesday seized several artifacts reportedly stolen from the Palmyra Museum in Syria. Three suspects attempting to sell the artifacts were detained. Media outlets reported the suspects obtained the artifacts from Syrian refugees.

Among the artifacts recovered in the city of Elazığ was a statue named "desert bride" and a wine goblet belonging to Roman Emperor Tiberius.

The smuggling of historical artifacts into Turkey from conflict-ridden neighboring Syria has significantly increased, figures show. Turkey, meanwhile, stepped up its border security, leading to a rise in artifact seizing as well. A total of 1,042 artifacts were confiscated last year at the Turkish border en route to the country, possibly to be sold to Turkish buyers or buyers from other countries.

Artifact smuggling is regarded as a lucrative income source for DAESH. Earlier this year, DAESH captured Palmyra, an ancient city where settlements date back to the Neolithic age and temples as well as Roman-era structures still survive. The U.N. Security Council had banned all trade in antiquities from Syria. The council stated that DAESH and others were generating income from engaging directly or indirectly in the looting and smuggling of cultural heritage items to support their recruitment efforts and strengthen their operational capability.