A transnational criminal organization dedicated to trafficking Sicilian archaeological artefacts has been busted by the Carabinieri: 23 arrests are underway in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. The international operation, conducted by members of the Cultural Heritage Protection Command, is coordinated by Europol and Eurojust. The investigations led to the recovery of 3.000 archaeological artefacts valued at over €20 million.
The order for the application of precautionary measures was issued by the investigating judge of Caltanissetta. At the center of the investigation, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Nissena, are the activities of a transnational criminal holding that, for years, managed a large traffic of archaeological goods from clandestine excavations in Sicily and destined for illegal export abroad. The investigation, called Demetra, was started in 2014. Details of the operation will be made known during a press conference to be held at 11:00 at the Public Prosecutor's Office of Caltanissetta.
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