Law-enforcement agencies across multiple European countries — working with Europol and assisted by national police forces — have dismantled a long-running criminal network accused of trafficking stolen cultural artefacts. In the coordinated operation, 35 suspects were arrested and more than 3,000 antiquities seized, many believed to have been stolen from museums across Europe.

Authorities said the organization operated for over 16 years across Western Europe, the Balkans, the United States and other regions. Investigators claim the group laundered more than US$1 billion through illicit sales and transfers.

During simultaneous raids in seven countries — including Albania, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the UK — police executed 131 searches of homes, vehicles and bank safes. The haul included ancient coins, artworks, weapons, cash, gold and documents. The total value of the recovered antiquities alone reportedly exceeds €100 million (≈ US$116 million).

Prosecutors described the operation as “the largest of its kind ever conducted.” In Italy alone, some 300 ancient items — ranging from Greek and Roman artifacts to rare medieval pieces — were among the recovered goods.