EUROPOL dismantles the group that trafficked over 7,000 historical artifacts worth 870 million euros! Inspections also carried out in Albania

Here is the translation in plain style:An international joint operation has struck one of the largest artifact trafficking networks in Europe, suspected of stealing thousands of historically significant objects from museums and archaeological sites in several countries across the continent.

Authorities from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Albania, coordinated by Eurojust and Europol, arrested 35 people and searched over 125 locations, seizing more than 3,000 objects with an estimated value of over 100 million euros.

The total value of the goods stolen by the group is believed to be around 870 million euros.

Investigations began in 2020, when Bulgarian police discovered an extraordinary collection of 7,000 cultural objects in a house, most originating from Thracian and Greco-Roman civilizations, with some dating back to 2000 BC.

The items included ancient masks, military objects, jewelry, cups, vases, and gold and silver coins. The lack of legal documentation raised suspicions that these were trafficked goods.

Among the arrested is a High-Value Target (HVT), suspected of leading the criminal operation. He is accused of financing illegal excavations in Bulgaria and neighboring countries, while thieves acted on his behalf.

The group had obtained questionable documents from auction houses and art galleries in France, Germany, the UK, and the US to “legalize” the stolen items.

On November 19, in The Hague, Eurojust coordinated a “day of action” where five European investigation orders and two requests for mutual legal assistance were executed within a few hours.

In Bulgaria, 120 searches were conducted, and actions were also carried out in France, Germany, Greece, and Albania.

Over 3,000 artifacts were seized, including ancient gold and silver coins, artworks, electronic equipment, documents, $50,000 in cash, and investment gold.

Europol sent two experts to Sofia to assist with coordinating the operation and analyzing the data.

Authorities in all participating countries, including Albania through SPAK, will continue investigations to identify all trafficking routes and recover other missing objects.

The operation is considered one of the largest blows to organized crime involved in the theft and trafficking of cultural heritage in Europe.

“KORÇA BOOM”