Name: Europe-wide operation breaks up antiquities trafficking network
Uploaded: 2025-11-21T10:27:18.857Z
Duration: 2 min
Description: A criminal network that trafficked stolen artefacts worth nearly €1 billion across Europe has been dismantled, resulting in 35 arrests and the recovery of 3,000 items.

A criminal network that trafficked stolen artefacts worth nearly €1 billion across Europe has been dismantled, resulting in 35 arrests and the recovery of 3,000 items.

Sofia

Bulgarian authorities, in cooperation with Europol and several international partners, have arrested 35 individuals as part of a large-scale operation targeting an antiquities trafficking network. The coordinated effort, which spanned eight countries, resulted in the detention of treasure hunters, dealers, and high-level traffickers.

The network is believed to have operated for 16 years across Western Europe, the United States, and the Balkans, employing numerous subcontractors. In Greece, archaeologists and professors were among those arrested. The group is also under investigation for money laundering and other financial crimes.

Europe-wide operation breaks up antiquities trafficking network

The Bulgarian General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Sofia City Prosecutor's Office announced that 35 Bulgarians were arrested for antique trafficking in an international operation involving Europol. Many treasure hunters, dealers and high-level traffickers were detained both in Bulgaria and elsewhere in a coordinated operation spanning eight countries. Bulgaria requested Europol support almost two years ago because of the complexity of the case and the intensive investigation measures needed. We have proposed to set up a kind of an operational task force with Bulgaria, Europol, but also European and non-European countries. The criminal network has operated for 16 years across Western Europe, the United States and the Balkans. They have many subcontractors in other countries ranging in specialties and professions. In Greece, archaeologists and professors were arrested after evidence suggested they were involved in the scheme. In addition to international trafficking of historical valuables, members of the group are also being investigated for money laundering and other financial offenses.

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