Those arrested face charges of criminal association, illegal engraving, theft, trafficking in stolen goods and illegal export of goods, the Italian Gendarmerie’s artistic anti-crime brigade, the Carabinieri, said on Wednesday. , in a press release.
Gendarmerie forces recovered hundreds of gold, silver and bronze coins from Greek and Roman antiquity, as well as jewellery, dishes, cups, urns and miniatures dating from the period between the 4th century BC and the 3rd century AD.
Police said the objects collected during illegal excavations in the southern regions of Puglia, Campania and Basilicata and destined for smuggling abroad have “invaluable historical and artistic value and enormous commercial value”.
Italy has always struggled with the problem of looting and smuggling of its artistic and archaeological heritage, but in recent years authorities have had more success in tracking down criminals and recovering stolen property.
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