Latest news with #PandoraIX
Vancouver Sun
23-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Woman busted for total of 64 objects of historical value, 1,576 ancient coins in Spain
A woman who was busted in Spain last year with ancient artifacts is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to art trafficking across Europe. An operation against the trafficking of cultural goods has led to 80 arrests and the seizure of 37,727 items, including archaeological pieces, artworks, coins and musical instruments, according to recent data released by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in a news release . 80 arrests and more than 37,700 cultural goods seized in major art trafficking bust under Operation Pandora. The joint effort involved @Europol , the @WCO_OMD , and INTERPOL. Seized items included archaeological pieces, artworks, coins, and musical instruments. The woman, who has not been named by authorities, was travelling from Mallorca when she was stopped as part of a search by the Spanish Civil Guard. She was attempting to fly to Germany with 55 ancient coins and a ring, Interpol said. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The woman said she was bringing the items back to Germany and that they had belonged to her late husband, who was an archaeologist and diver, the Washington Post reported . A spokesperson for the Civil Guard told the publication that the woman said she was going to take the objects to Germany for evaluation so they could be sold. This eventually led to the Civil Guard uncovering and confiscating 64 objects of historical value and 1,576 ancient coins. The items dated back to between 1600 and 123 B.C. and were part of Talayotic culture, per the Civil Guard, the Washington Post reported. According to the publication, the couple's daughter had accompanied her father on trips to recover objects. She is facing charges of plundering underwater wrecks and archaeological sites. The items are now being catalogued by the Museum of Mallorca, the Washington Post said, and are expected to be put on display. This is one of hundreds of instances involving the trafficking of cultural goods last year, the international police organization said. In 2024, the ninth edition of the operation, which has been dubbed Pandora IX, involved law enforcement and customs authorities from 23 countries. It was launched in 2016 as a global initiative to protect cultural heritage from illicit trafficking. There were a total of 258 cases reported last year alone. Many investigations are currently underway. In another Spanish case, the Civil Guard 'dismantled a criminal group involved in archaeological looting in the province of Cáceres.' Six people were arrested and three others are under investigation, Interpol said. Authorities recovered 2,500 archaeological items, mainly Roman coins minted in the Celtiberian city of Tamusia. The items had been looted from 'protected archaeological sites in the province of Cáceres using metal detectors and were being sold illegally through social media platforms,' per Interpol. Last year, authorities confiscated 69 metal detectors and 23 tools commonly used for illegal excavations. Countries that participated in Pandora IX include Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Ukraine, and the United States. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Calgary Herald
23-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
Woman busted for total of 64 objects of historical value, 1,576 ancient coins in Spain
Article content A woman who was busted in Spain last year with ancient artifacts is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to art trafficking across Europe. Article content Article content An operation against the trafficking of cultural goods has led to 80 arrests and the seizure of 37,727 items, including archaeological pieces, artworks, coins and musical instruments, according to recent data released by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in a news release. Article content Article content 80 arrests and more than 37,700 cultural goods seized in major art trafficking bust under Operation Pandora. The joint effort involved @Europol, the @WCO_OMD, and INTERPOL. Seized items included archaeological pieces, artworks, coins, and musical instruments. — INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) May 22, 2025 Article content The woman, who has not been named by authorities, was travelling from Mallorca when she was stopped as part of a search by the Spanish Civil Guard. She was attempting to fly to Germany with 55 ancient coins and a ring, Interpol said. Article content Article content The woman said she was bringing the items back to Germany and that they had belonged to her late husband, who was an archaeologist and diver, the Washington Post reported. A spokesperson for the Civil Guard told the publication that the woman said she was going to take the objects to Germany for evaluation so they could be sold. Article content This eventually led to the Civil Guard uncovering and confiscating 64 objects of historical value and 1,576 ancient coins. The items dated back to between 1600 and 123 B.C. and were part of Talayotic culture, per the Civil Guard, the Washington Post reported. Article content According to the publication, the couple's daughter had accompanied her father on trips to recover objects. She is facing charges of plundering underwater wrecks and archaeological sites. Article content Article content The items are now being catalogued by the Museum of Mallorca, the Washington Post said, and are expected to be put on display. Article content Article content This is one of hundreds of instances involving the trafficking of cultural goods last year, the international police organization said. In 2024, the ninth edition of the operation, which has been dubbed Pandora IX, involved law enforcement and customs authorities from 23 countries. It was launched in 2016 as a global initiative to protect cultural heritage from illicit trafficking. Article content There were a total of 258 cases reported last year alone. Many investigations are currently underway. Article content In another Spanish case, the Civil Guard 'dismantled a criminal group involved in archaeological looting in the province of Cáceres.' Six people were arrested and three others are under investigation, Interpol said. Article content Article content Authorities recovered 2,500 archaeological items, mainly Roman coins minted in the Celtiberian city of Tamusia. The items had been looted from 'protected archaeological sites in the province of Cáceres using metal detectors and were being sold illegally through social media platforms,' per Interpol.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
European police seize thousands of looted cultural goods
European police seize thousands of looted cultural goods Officials recovered around 38,000 valuable cultural objects and arrested 80 suspects in 23 countries in the fight against the international theft of cultural property, Europol announced on Thursday. Spain's Guardia Civil coordinated the international investigation, codenamed Pandora IX and carried out throughout 2024, involving law enforcement and customs officials from 23 countries. The recovered artifacts included artworks, coins, musical instruments, paintings and archaeological finds, with 258 cases reported by the participating countries. Artefacts from Roman and Punic periods recovered Europol, which is based in The Hague, said the operation was the ninth edition of Operation Pandora, which targets the trafficking of cultural goods and was set up in 2016. Investigations are continuing, and further arrests could be expected, Europol said. "Authorities also confiscated 69 metal detectors and 23 tools commonly used for illegal excavations, underlining the persistent threat of looting to cultural sites," it explained. The Italian carabinieri had seized more than 300 items, including coins, metal and ceramic fragments such as arrowheads and spearheads dating back to the Roman and Punic periods, Europol added. The artifacts were being offered for sale online and were discovered in a private apartment. In Spain, the Guardia Civil dismantled a criminal group involved in archaeological looting as they recovered 2,500 archaeological, primarily Roman, coins minted in the Celtiberian city of Tamusia. Those artifacts had been looted from protected archaeological sites in the province of Caceres using metal detectors and were being sold illegally through social media platforms. Meanwhile, a passenger flying from Spain's Palma de Mallorca to Germany was found to be carrying 55 ancient coins and a ring. A subsequent investigation led to an indictment for crimes of plundering underwater wrecks and other archaeological sites. In that case, a total of 64 objects of historical value and 1,576 ancient coins were confiscated. In Greece, the Department of Cultural Heritage and Antiquities of Athens recovered five Byzantine icons. Acting on intelligence and using special investigative techniques, including an undercover officer, three individuals were arrested while attempting to sell the icons for € 70,000. Cyberinvestigators contributed to operation In addition to on-the-ground operations, cyberpatrols were carried out during the operation to identify potential illicit online sales of cultural property. The virtual investigations led to the opening of new cases, with a total of 4,298 cultural goods seized as a result of the cyberpatrols.
DW
22-05-2025
- DW
European police seize thousands of looted cultural goods – DW – 05/22/2025
Law enforcement and customs officials from 23 countries took part in an operation called Pandora IX. Authorities recovered thousands of artefacts, including artworks, coins, paintings and archaeological finds. Officials recovered around 38,000 valuable cultural objects and arrested 80 suspects in 23 countries in the fight against the international theft of cultural property, Europol announced on Thursday. Spain's Guardia Civil coordinated the international investigation, codenamed Pandora IX and carried out throughout 2024, involving law enforcement and customs officials from 23 countries. The recovered artifacts included artworks, coins, musical instruments, paintings and archaeological finds, with 258 cases reported by the participating countries. Artefacts from Roman and Punic periods recovered Europol, which is based in The Hague, said the operation was the ninth edition of Operation Pandora, which targets the trafficking of cultural goods and was set up in 2016. Investigations are continuing, and further arrests could be expected, Europol said. "Authorities also confiscated 69 metal detectors and 23 tools commonly used for illegal excavations, underlining the persistent threat of looting to cultural sites," it explained. The Italian carabinieri had seized more than 300 items, including coins, metal and ceramic fragments such as arrowheads and spearheads dating back to the Roman and Punic periods, Europol added. The artifacts were being offered for sale online and were discovered in a private apartment. In Spain, the Guardia Civil dismantled a criminal group involved in archaeological looting as they recovered 2,500 archaeological, primarily Roman, coins minted in the Celtiberian city of Tamusia. Those artifacts had been looted from protected archaeological sites in the province of Caceres using metal detectors and were being sold illegally through social media platforms. Meanwhile, a passenger flying from Spain's Palma de Mallorca to Germany was found to be carrying 55 ancient coins and a ring. A subsequent investigation led to an indictment for crimes of plundering underwater wrecks and other archaeological sites. In that case, a total of 64 objects of historical value and 1,576 ancient coins were confiscated. In Greece, the Department of Cultural Heritage and Antiquities of Athens recovered five Byzantine icons. Acting on intelligence and using special investigative techniques, including an undercover officer, three individuals were arrested while attempting to sell the icons for € 70,000. Cyberinvestigators contributed to operation In addition to on-the-ground operations, cyberpatrols were carried out during the operation to identify potential illicit online sales of cultural property. The virtual investigations led to the opening of new cases, with a total of 4,298 cultural goods seized as a result of the cyberpatrols. Edited by: Sean Sinico
