Antiques Trafficking and Money Laundering: International Scheme Uncovered

Over 20 people have been charged with participating in a large-scale scheme for trafficking antique valuables and money laundering, the majority of whom are Bulgarian citizens also holding dual citizenship. The criminal group, whose activity spans over 16 years, operated in Western Europe, the Balkans, the United States, and other countries. According to preliminary data, over one billion dollars have been identified in the investigation for money laundering. The deputy city prosecutor of Sofia, Angel Kanev, revealed details to the media at a special briefing. He explained that the Bulgarian citizens involved in this criminal activity were active even before 1990.

An international operation, led by Bulgaria and coordinated with Eurojust and Europol, was conducted yesterday. Within the framework of this operation, cars, safes, and other objects were seized, and the total quantity of unique artifacts discovered is significant. Numerous items made of gold, silver, bronze, ceramics, coins, and others were found, Prosecutor Kanev emphasized. "We are already aware that some of the items are part of the world's cultural heritage," he added. The total value of the discovered valuables exceeds 100 million leva. "We found several hundred artifacts, stolen about 10 years ago from a private collection," the prosecutor also announced. Prosecutor Kanev pointed out that the discovered artifacts are guarded by employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The operation, directed against an organized group and network for trafficking cultural valuables and money laundering, covered over eight European countries. Over 220 employees of the Main Directorate "Combating Organized Crime" (GDOP) were active on the ground, carrying out searches and seizures. Boyan Raev, director of GDOP, informed that the action lasted over 30 hours.

"We have conducted 131 searches. 35 people were arrested for a period of 24 hours, we found thousands of cultural valuables, which are currently increasing, over 50 antique firearms," Raev shared. He emphasized the strict hierarchical structure of the criminal group, with treasure hunters, dealers, and traffickers among those arrested. The operation in Bulgaria is taking place in Sofia, Stara Zagora, Vidin, Razgrad, Harmanli, Dupnitsa, Varna, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, Dolni Dabnik, Pleven, Cherven Bryag, and Novi Pazar, Raev clarified.

Paulo Befera, deputy head of the specialized directorate for the protection of cultural heritage of the Italian Carabinieri, defined the operation as "the largest in the field". Befera emphasized the effectiveness of the created working group, which works "in an extremely fast and organized manner," including not only the police but also the prosecutor's office in its actions. This has allowed "coordinated action very quickly". About 300 historical artifacts, dating from the III century BC to the III century AD, have been discovered in Italy alone, Befera clarified.

Jens Leithigener, head of the "Property Crimes" team at the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), emphasized that this is the largest operation in the field of cultural heritage preservation in which Europol has participated. Leithigener stressed the importance of cooperation, but also the need to preserve and protect cultural valuables. Bulgaria sent a request for assistance two years ago, after which a working group was created, in which not only European countries participated. The idea is for Europol to function as an information center, Leithigener added.