35 Arrests, 3,000 Artifacts Seized in Seven-Country Raids on Antiquities Ring
Prosecutors are pursuing money-laundering probes tied to more than $1 billion in suspected proceeds.
Overview
- A coordinated action backed by Eurojust and Europol dismantled a network trafficking stolen cultural goods across Europe.
- Authorities conducted about 131 searches across Albania, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom.
- Seizures included more than 3,000 artifacts valued at over €100 million along with cash, investment gold, weapons, documents and electronics.
- About 20 suspects face charges for antiquities trafficking and money laundering, according to Bulgarian prosecutor Angel Kanev.
- Officials say the group operated for over 16 years across Western Europe, the Balkans and the United States, and Italy described the action as among the largest of its kind.