A director of a public service office was among six people arrested on suspicion of participating in running a ring smuggling antiquities in Crete in a sting operation carried out by Greek law enforcement agents on Wednesday, April 23.
According to local news site Cretalive.gr, the 58-year-old senior official is a well-known resident of Heraklion, Crete, while the remaining four suspects are also from Crete, the sixth hailing from Chalkida.
According to a police read-out, the suspects, as per individual case, among other things, are facing charges of participation in a criminal organization, failure to report the possession of metal detectors or other scanning devices, as well as weapons and drug-related offenses.
Authorities uncovered that the suspects had been in long-term possession of antiquities and were actively seeking buyers for illegal resale.
The arrests took place during a covert police operation in which the suspects attempted to sell at least 46 antiquities at a prearranged meeting to undercover agents.
The following items were found and seized during personal searches and home raids: 15 ancient oil lamps; 17 figurines and fragments; 3 vases and fragments; a large storage jar (pithos); a metal double axe and a metal spoon; an icon of the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus; 5 stone objects and fragments; a pistol with a magazine; and a non-functional revolver.
The competent archaeological authority has examined the seized antiquities, confirming that most fall under Greek cultural heritage protection laws.
The six suspects are expected to appear before the Heraklion prosecutor.
