More than 100 people have been arrested and some 19.000 archaeological pieces and works of art seized in Two international police operations, which had as Main scenarios Spain, Argentina and Colombia, among other countries, Interpol reported on Wednesday (06.05.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX).
One of these operations, dubbed Pandora IV, was led by the Spanish Civil Guard and the European police agency (Europol), while the other, Athena II, was carried out by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Interpol.
Both were carried out in the autumn of 2019 in 103 countries with the aim of dismantling international networks of traffickers of works of art and antiques, and the 300 investigations opened in that framework led to the arrest of 101 suspects.
The networks involved trafficked in archaeological and art objects looted from countries affected by war or from thefts from museums and archaeological excavations, such as coins or ancient weapons, fossils and pieces of pottery.
Police services focused their surveillance on markets and online sales sites, because according to Interpol The web plays a prominent role in the illicit trade of cultural objects.
Among the confiscated works is a gold mask from Tumaco, considered unique in its kind, and located at Madrid's Barajas airport thanks to the collaboration between the National Police of Spain and Colombia.
In another operation, Argentine federal police recovered 2.500 ancient coins, the largest seizure of such items to date, following another 1.375 by Latvian law enforcement agencies.
This is the second time that Europol, Interpol and the WCO have collaborated in the fight against the illicit trade in cultural goods, following a similar initiative carried out in 2018 in which the Civil Guard also participated.
«The operational success of Customs and their law enforcement partners provides tangible proof that international trafficking in cultural objects is thriving and affects all continents. In particular, we continue to receive evidence that illicit online marketplaces are one of the main vehicles for this crime. However, Online transactions always leave traces and customs, the police and other partners have established effective mechanisms to work together to prevent cross-border illicit trade,” he said. Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the WCO.
Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock said the number of arrests and confiscated items reflects the extent of this fraudulent practice, "which potentially affects every country with a rich cultural heritage."
Interpol made it clear that trafficking in cultural goods "is not a glamorous activity carried out by elegant gentlemen, but rather criminal acts led by international criminal networks," which are often the same ones involved in drug and arms trafficking.
With EFE information
During what was called a 'cyber patrol week' and under the leadership of the @_Carabinieri_ , police and customs experts mapped active targets and developed intelligence packages.
? 8,670 cultural objects for online sale were seized.
More deets: https://t.co/a0kGH4YRmV pic.twitter.com/BQ9AJJHjz3
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) May 6, 2020
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