Europe-wide operation breaks up years-long antiquities trafficking network

Authorities across seven European countries have dismantled a criminal organisation that smuggled stolen cultural artefacts across the continent for more than 16 years, Bulgarian officials announced on Thursday.

The coordinated action involved 131 searches of properties, vehicles and bank vaults across the seven nations, according to Europol.

Officers seized more than 3,000 artefacts, including ancient gold and silver coins and other antiquities valued at over €100 million. Authorities also confiscated artworks, weapons, documents, electronic devices, substantial cash sums and investment gold.

The operation resulted in 35 arrests linked to a network trafficking thousands of ancient objects taken from museums throughout Europe. Some 20 suspects face charges including antiquities trafficking and money laundering, Bulgarian Prosecutor Angel Kanev said at a press briefing.

The criminal group operated across western Europe, the Balkans, the US and elsewhere, according to Kanev. Investigators have traced more than $1 billion (€866 million) in illicit funds connected to the money laundering probe.

Judicial and law enforcement officials from Albania, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the UK carried out simultaneous operations on Wednesday.

Paolo Befera, deputy head of the Italian Carabinieri's cultural heritage protection unit, said that Italian authorities alone recovered approximately 300 historical artefacts from suspected traffickers.

The Balkans and Italy are known for their extensive Greek and Roman archaeological heritage, making the two a constant target for criminal networks involved in looting and theft. Despite stringent national legislation, such artefacts usually reach high prices on international black markets.

The operation was supported by Eurojust and Europol.