Authorities have seized 1383 artworks and antiquities in the framework of European operation ‘Pandora’ against illegal trafficking of cultural objects.
An operation led by Cyprus and Spain has seized a total of 3561 works of art, cultural items and antiquities while 75 people have been arrested at European level and 92 cases are being investigated.
The Police in Cyprus carried out 44 checks and seized 1383 antiquities and 13 metal detectors. Another 40 items were found at the Post Office in Larnaca.
The operation was carried out last October and November, supported by EUROPOL, INTERPOL, UNESCO and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
During the operation, a total of 48,588 persons, 29,340 vehicles and 50 vessels were checked and 3561 works of art and cultural items were seized, half of which are ancient items.
“The operation focused on combating offences of theft and illegal trafficking of cultural goods,” a police press release said, adding that “the operation focused on cultural looting and trafficking of cultural goods in order to determine the profile of the criminal groups dealing with the above offences, as well as possible links with other criminal fields.”
Cyprus, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom participated in the operation.
Source: CNA
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