Greek police have arrested six suspected antiquities smugglers after a massive undercover operation on the island of Crete where they seized and recovered over 40 ancient artifacts the smuggling ring had been allegedly trying to sell on the black market.
Of those arrested, five are from Crete. The other, from Chalkida on Evia island is a high-ranking director of a Greek public agency.
The antiquities, according to police and Giorgos Tsoukalis, a private investigator who has been assisting authorities with tips and information, are thought to be of a significant combined value: in excess of 3 million euros ($3.4 million). They include small statues, Cycladic figurines, fragments and other artifacts. They have all been taken to the relevant Ephorate of Antiquities for evaluation.
Police had kept the suspects under surveillance since December 2024, when they were first tipped off about the ring’s operation. The suspects had rented a house in the Heraklion area of Crete, which they used to store the artifacts and display them to potential buyers. The suspects, according to police, booked appointments with collectors at the house, where they would show them the antiquities and negotiate their price. It is not yet known how they acquired the artifacts.
Antiquities smugglers arrested on Crete two years ago
This is not the first time police have launched an operation to bust an antiquities smuggling ring on Crete.
In April 2023, in another significant smuggling case, Greek police arrested five suspected antiquities smugglers during an operation to dismantle a criminal ring responsible for the theft of historically valuable items.
During the operation, the police seized and recovered several items including seven coffins and other vessels. The ancient items were said to have a combined value in excess of €500,000.
The operation was reportedly the culmination of four months of investigation and casework.
According to Greek media sources the police operation took place in the area of Krousonas in the municipality of Malevizi, Crete.
About four months of investigative work took place to identify the members of the antiquity smuggling ring and their location. The police operation reportedly got the go ahead when the location of the stolen antiquities was determined.
The police searched houses in the Krousonas area and arrested at least five individuals believed to have taken part in the theft of the valuable historical items.
The theft of antiquities is a lucrative illicit trade. Thankfully, various national law enforcement agencies and international organizations conduct ongoing investigations to halt the smuggling of precious antiquities and recover items of historical, cultural or artistic importance.
Due to the gravitas and value associated with any historical items from the ancient Greek world, antiquities belonging to ancient Greek culture are a common target.
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