Greek authorities arrested 23 individuals in Northern Greece, alleged to be part of three antiquities smuggling rings, according to Enikos. The operation led to the seizure of ancient coins, artifacts, and cash.
The case file details illegal archaeological searches, embezzlement, and the export of monuments for illegal profit, as reported by iefimerida. The Sub-Directorate for the Suppression of Organized Crime of Northern Greece ended the alleged activities of these smuggling rings after months of investigations, according to ANT1 News.
An archivist employed at the Serres Antiquities Ephorate is among those arrested and is attributed a "guiding" role in the illegal excavations of one of the two gangs based in Serres, according to SKAI.
The accused are being prosecuted for a series of felonies, including charges of embezzlement, acceptance, and disposal of ancient monuments that are products of crime.
According to SKAI, the accused used metal detectors and geodetic instruments to find antiquities. Devices for locating and detecting metals were seized during the searches. They also applied specialized digging techniques.
Explosive material (TNT) was seized during the searches, indicating that the accused used explosive material in their excavations, according to ANT1 News and Enikos. A total of 75,000 euros in cash was also seized during house searches, according to iefimerida.
Coins—gold, bronze, and silver from different periods—and ancient objects were seized during the investigations, reported by SKAI. A portion of the seized ancient objects was shown to archaeologists, who determined that these objects fall under the protective provisions of the law on the protection of antiquities, as stated by Kathimerini.
Information indicates that among the archaeological sites where illegal excavations were conducted are the Kasta Tomb and the wider area of Amphipolis.
According to Enikos, the accused antiquities smugglers used coded expressions for their communications with each other. The term "little machine" or "machine" was used to refer to a metal detector. The terms "woods" and "wines” were used for antiquities. The expression "I'm going to cut wood",referred to illegal excavations and archaeological searches.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.