More than 3,000 artifacts: Criminal network involved in illegal trafficking of stolen artifacts in Europe exposed

Authorities across seven European countries have dismantled a criminal organization that smuggled stolen cultural artefacts across the continent for more than 16 years, Euronews writes, referring to Bulgarian officials.

The coordinated action, supported by Europol and Eurojust, involved 131 searches of properties, vehicles and bank vaults across the seven nations.

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.

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