A cross-border police operation co-ordinated by Europol has resulted in the seizure of 25,000 archaeological goods, in a blow to cultural goods traffickers.
Taking place simultaneously in Italy, Germany, Spain and the UK, the cross-border police operation involved more than 250 police officers carrying out 40 search warrants on properties, the culmination of the four year investigation into the trafficking of archaeological and cultural goods across Europe.
The police seized 25,000 archaeological goods worth an estimated €40m, and arrested 23 suspects across the Italian regions of Sicily, Calabria, Piedmont, and Apulia, as well as London, UK, Barcelona, Spain and Ehningen, Germany, in a co-ordinated operation at 4:00am CET.
What were the results of the investigation?
The four-year investigation uncovered the operations of a highly organised criminal group operating from several European member states which specialised in the illegal excavation and trafficking of cultural goods. Ahead of the cross-border police operation which took place today, Italian police seized 3,000 archaeological goods and 1,200 fake items, and confiscated 1,500 tools (including metal detectors) used by the illegal excavators.
The gang operated in a number of areas of Italy rich in archaeological sites dating from the ancient Greek and Roman periods, illegally excavating or counterfeiting items. These items were then smuggled out of Italy, equipped with false documents and sold via auction houses in Germany. Members of the group also operated out of Barcelona and London to provide technical support and co-ordinate the supply chain.
What was Europol’s role in the operation?
To facilitate this operation and support the four-year investigation, Europol hosted and financed operational meetings, and also co-ordinated efforts on the synchronised operation today. A team of Europol experts was also deployed to Sicily on the day to enable the immediate cross-checking of data.
According to Europol, the success of the operation demonstrates the value of international co-operation on investigations in the field of the trafficking of cultural goods. With its capacity to facilitate cross-border collaboration in law enforcement, Europol positions itself as a vital actor in such efforts.
