Nike clearance By AYA BATRAWY Associated Press CAIRO February 27, 2012 (AP) Egyptian security officials say they have thwarted an attempt by a British man and his wife to smuggle 19 artifacts out of the country. Police say the couple were stopped in Luxor International Airport on Sunday with pieces in their luggage ranging from Pharonic statues and pottery to a Greco-Roman bronze coin. Security officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with police rules. Security around the country has deteriorated since last year’s uprising when several pieces went missing from the Egyptian museum. For centuries, Egyptian antiquities have been looted from the country, but authorities are demanding key pieces be returned.
(Note: The original text seems to be a mix of French and English. In this translation, I've focused on converting the entire content into coherent English while maintaining the original meaning.)