Egyptian customs foil pharaoh smugglers

Egyptian customs officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of pharaonic artefacts hidden in furniture, state news agency MENA reports.

The agency quoted customs official Galal Abul Fatuh as saying it was the largest smuggling bust in a decade, adding the priceless relics had been hidden in furniture and wood products destined for Spain.

The smugglers were arrested and the relics were handed over to Egypt's antiquities council, he added.