In a major bust on the island of Crete, Greek authorities have apprehended six individuals linked to a sophisticated antiquities smuggling ring.
The suspects were caught in the act of attempting to sell priceless artifacts, including ancient oil lamps and a marble sculpture, as part of an ongoing battle against the illegal trade in Greece's rich cultural heritage, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.
Police stated that the group operated as a well-organized criminal network with clearly defined roles, including a leader, intermediaries, and a designated transporter. Among the items recovered during the operation were 15 ancient oil lamps, 17 figurines or fragments, several ceramic vessels, and a marble sculpture believed to depict a child’s head. These artifacts, which span various periods of ancient Greek history, are now set to undergo evaluation by Greece’s state archaeological service.
In addition to the antiquities, police seized a range of items including metal detectors, scanning equipment used to locate buried relics, firearms, ammunition, quantities of cannabis, and more than 3,000 euros ($3,200) in cash.
Greece, known for its rich and diverse archaeological heritage, has long battled the illegal trade of antiquities. Despite the country’s stringent national laws protecting cultural heritage, such artifacts continue to be in high demand on the global black market.
The six individuals arrested face a number of charges, including membership in a criminal organization and violations of laws designed to protect the nation's cultural heritage. Greek authorities have vowed to continue their efforts to combat the illicit trade in antiquities and hold perpetrators accountable.
By Naila Huseynova
Source: caliber.az
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