Μake us preferred on Google The operation involved 60 police officers conducting searches in Kozani, Kavala, Xanthi, Drama, Rhodope and Evros prefectures. Those arrested include the alleged leaders of the two groups and an active-duty military officer.
According to investigators, the two gangs had operated since at least September 2025, using local contacts to identify archaeological sites and approach people willing to sell antiquities. Members allegedly used metal detectors, ground-scanning systems and four-wheel-drive vehicles to locate potential finds before excavating with pickaxes, drills and other tools.
One alleged ringleader is accused of coordinating operations, selecting targets and arranging the acquisition and resale of antiquities to contacts abroad. The military officer allegedly led the second group and participated in illegal searches, particularly in the Evros region. Another suspect is accused of compiling an archive of archaeological sites using old documents, maps and field research.
Investigators say the suspects used coded language to conceal their activities. Terms such as “jogging” and “gymnastics” allegedly referred to field searches, while “exercise equipment” meant detection devices and “whites” referred to valuable gold and silver coins.
Police seized numerous ancient coins and archaeological objects, including a bronze horse-and-rider figurine, fragments of bronze bells, metal ornaments, pottery, amphora fragments and marble and stone architectural elements. The objects will be examined by the Thessaloniki Ephorate of Antiquities.
The haul also included 24 metal detectors, 11 search coils, specialist ground-scanning equipment, a portable 3D scanner, radar devices, a GPS unit and a drone, along with excavation tools, three cars, eight mobile phones, radio transceivers and documents containing maps and handwritten notes.
Police additionally confiscated 11,130 euros, 875 Turkish lira, three gold sovereigns, a gold ring, three hunting guns, an air pistol and a bayonet. Further coins and metal objects are being examined to determine whether they qualify as protected antiquities.
The 11 suspects comprise 10 Greek nationals and one foreign national. They face charges, depending on their alleged involvement, relating to participation in a criminal organization, violations of antiquities and cultural heritage protection laws, and weapons offenses. The allegations remain subject to the judicial process.
