British tourist arrested in Turkey after attempting to fly home with gold coins found while snorkelling

Tony Robyns, 52, a father-of-five from West Sussex, detained at Bodrum airport after trying to smuggle treasure find back to UK without notifying authorities

A British man was detained at Bodrum airport in Turkey (Google Maps)

A British tourist has been arrested in Turkey after he reportedly attempted to fly home with coins he found while snorkelling.

Toby Robyns was detained at Bodrum airport on Friday on suspicion of “finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities”, The Sun said.

The 52-year-old father-of-five, from Southwick, West Sussex, discovered the 13 coins while snorkelling during a two-week holiday in Turgutreis and tried to take them home as a souvenir, the newspaper said.

He is reportedly being held at Milas prison while he waits to hear whether he will be charged.

James Stoneham, a family friend, said: “This was harmless fun on a holiday.

“When he went to get his flight home they dragged him off and searched his hand luggage.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are assisting a British man following his arrest in Bodrum and remain in contact with his family and the Turkish authorities.”

PA