Major art trafficking operation leads to 80 arrests and the seizure of over 37,700 cultural artifacts.
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Europol has announced the successful conclusion of Operation Pandora IX, a multi-national law enforcement effort to combat the trafficking of cultural property. The operation, which was coordinated by Spain's Guardia Civil, involved authorities from 23 countries across Europe. During the year-long endeavor, approximately 38,000 cultural objects were recovered, and 80 suspects were arrested. The seized items included artworks, coins, musical instruments, and archaeological artifacts from various periods, such as the Roman and Punic eras.
Some of the notable recoveries include:
1. Spain: The Guardia Civil dismantled a criminal group involved in archaeological looting, seizing 2,500 Roman coins from a private apartment.
2. Italy: Over 300 items, including coins and artifacts from the Roman and Punic periods, were confiscated from a private apartment.
3. Greece: Five Byzantine icons were recovered, and three individuals were arrested while attempting to sell them for €70,000.
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The operation also focused on cyber investigations to track down illicit online sales, which resulted in the seizure of an additional 4,298 cultural goods. The ongoing efforts to combat cultural theft and trafficking are crucial in preserving historical heritage and preventing the loss of valuable artifacts to the black market. The use of metal detectors and social media platforms for these illegal activities highlights the evolving methods used by criminal networks in this area.