US EditionNetwork that trafficked stolen antiquities across Europe dismantled with 35 arrests
Authorities seized over 3,000 artifacts valued at €100 million and uncovered $1 billion in illicit funds linked to a trafficking network active for more than 16 years.
- On Thursday, Bulgarian authorities said a coordinated operation with Eurojust and Europol arrested suspects linked to antiquities smuggling across Albania, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom.
- Because artifacts remain highly sought-after, the Balkan region and Italy, home to Greek and Roman archaeological treasures, face persistent looting despite strict national laws on the international black market.
- Authorities seized more than 3,000 artifacts, including antique coins valued at over 100 million euros, and carried out 131 searches of houses, vehicles and bank safes recovering artworks, weapons, documents, electronic equipment, cash and investment gold.
- Prosecutors charged around 20 people, Bulgarian Prosecutor Angel Kanev said, and the money‑laundering investigation has identified over $1 billion in illicit funds.
- Officials noted the criminal group operated for more than 16 years, and Paolo Befera called the operation 'the largest of this manner ever conducted,' seizing around 300 artifacts in Italy.
23 Articles
23 Articles
A criminal network engaged in trafficking in stolen art objects across Europe was dismantled, resulting in 35 arrests and 3,000 items being recovered.
Bulgaria arrests 35 in large-scale trafficking of cultural goods
(Reuters) -Bulgaria has arrested 35 people linked to a criminal network involved in large-scale trafficking of cultural goods across Europe, BTA news agency reported on Thursday, quoting the head of the country's anti-organised crime unit. "We have conducted 131 searches. Within 24 hours, 35 people were detained, we found thousands of cultural valuables, with the numbers still increasing, and over 50 antique firearms," the head of the General Di…
The 60-year-old professor with a rich resume in Greece and abroad claimed that in the past he had collaborated with a very powerful man nicknamed "the Skull".
Bulgaria arrests 35 in large-scale trafficking of cultural goods
Bulgaria has arrested 35 people linked to a criminal network involved in large-scale trafficking of cultural goods across Europe, BTA news agency reported on Thursday, quoting the head of the country's anti-organised crime unit. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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