Italian authorities have disrupted a sophisticated operation that was illegally exporting precious archaeological artefacts belonging to the Italian state. The criminal group worked with expert grave robbers and thieves to excavate numerous objects. Following a complex investigation lasting over several years, Italian authorities, supported by Eurojust, dismantled the organisation and arrested four suspects.
The criminal group targeted mainly Apulian and Etruscan artefacts, which were stolen from archaeological sites in central and southern Italy. Once the grave robbers had retrieved the objects, a sophisticated operation would begin.
The value of the objects was determined and fake documents were prepared to prove the apparent lawful origin of the goods. Specially equipped vehicles and professional couriers would then transport the objects. The sale of the objects was organised through a fake auction house in Belgium. The criminal group’s operation was highly successful, generating huge illegal profits. At the same time, they caused significant damage to Italy’s cultural heritage by selling historic evidence that is now irretrievable. To conceal their activities, the criminal group used a secret language to communicate and operated under several false identities.
Investigations into the criminal group started in 2020. Due to the location of the objects across Europe and the fake auction house in Belgium, international cooperation was initiated at Eurojust. European Investigation Orders were executed in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Spain with the support of Eurojust. The searches led to the seizure of important archaeological objects that were purchased through the fake auction house. The objects recovered include decorated ceramic vases, over 200 silver and bronze coins from different periods, and bronze rings and pendants. Among the objects found, a marble sarcophagus from the Roman Imperial Period discovered in Belgium and 15 Etruscan sculptures discovered in Spain stand out.
During an operation in the early hours of 4 December, Italian authorities arrested four suspects for receiving and illegally exporting archaeological and numismatic objects.
The following authorities were involved in the case:
- Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bari; Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage – TPC Unit of Bari
- Austria: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Vienna
- Belgium: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Antwerp; Investigating Judge Court of 1st Instance Brussels; Federal Judicial Police Brussels and Antwerp
- Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Munich; Bavarian State Criminal Police
- Spain: Juzgado de Instruccion of Valencia and Granada; Specialised Public Prosecutor of International Cooperation; Grupo de Patrimonio, UCO, Guardia Civil