Operation Aureus

European Police Arrest 35 And Recover Thousands of Stolen Cultural Artifacts

https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/european-police-arrest-35-and-recover-thousands-stolen-cultural-artefacts

The Hague, the Netherlands
28 January 2015
EUROPOL

Thirty-five individuals have been arrested and 2289 cultural artefacts seized, in an international operation supported by Europol to prevent the theft and trafficking of European cultural property.

Europe has a significant historical, artistic and culture heritage, which organised criminals groups are keen to exploit. In response, European law enforcement authorities in 14 countries* launched Operation Aureus, which culminated in a week-long coordinated action to prevent the further looting, theft and illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts.

As part of the action week, law enforcement authorities carried out checks on 6244 individuals, 8222 vehicles, 27 vessels, as well as 2352 inspections at antique and art dealers, auction houses and second-hand outlets. Checks were also stepped up at airports, land borders and ports, while information campaigns warned travellers about purchasing such objects. Specialised law enforcement units also performed checks on websites and online outlets suspected of selling cultural artefacts.

Speaking at a press conference earlier today, the Director-General of Guardia Civil and the General Director of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs confirmed that Spanish authorities had arrested five individuals, searched four properties and seized 36 Egyptian archaeological artefacts with a total value of between EUR 200 000 and 300 000. In addition mobile phones and various cash currency was confiscated, including EUR 10 000, during the action week which took place from 17-23 November 2014. The operation was named 'Hieratica' in Spain and was initiated by the Spanish Guardia Civil and the police of Cyprus.

Christian Jechoutek, Assistant Director at Europol, explained that Europol had supported Operation Aureus, which was part of the EU operational action plan against organised property crime, by conducting preparatory coordination meetings for the action, facilitating information exchange and providing intelligence to the participating countries. To support investigators on the spot, an experienced analyst, connected to Europol databases, was sent to the Guardia Civil command centre in Madrid.

The operation initiated 38 new investigations, with more expected. The operation's development was also supported by Interpol, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the cultural authorities of the participating countries:
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, United Kingdom.


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COMMENTARY
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According to this Europol announcement, and others such as this announcement in the Sofia Globe:

http://sofiaglobe.com/2015/01/30/bulgaria-busts-international-antiquities-trafficking-ring/,

a major international organized crime ring involved in illicit antiquities trafficking and smuggling has been disrupted and many of those allegedly involved have been arrested, while large numbers of artifacts alleged to have been illicitly excavated and/or smuggled have been seized.

Since legal actions are still pending it is not appropriate to comment on any particular case, or to describe those detained as criminals. However, it is appropriate to comment upon the principle of supporting and encouraging effective law enforcement.

This observer believes that the biggest practical and ethical problem plaguing the effective management and safeguarding of cultural heritage has been failure of law enforcement to prevent illicit antiquities excavations, trafficking and smuggling at the source, where and when these crimes take place. A consequence of this failure has been a perception on the part of some of those involved that the problem can only be dealt with by eliminating the market for antiquities. That perception, and a subsequent campaign by archaeologists to stigmatize and stifle the antiquities market and private antiquities collecting, has created significant conflict between archaeological and collecting interests.

It now appears that modern technology and improved methods of coordinating and disseminating information between law enforcement authorities may be changing this situation.

It is not necessary to apprehend every criminal every time he does something illicit to deter crime. It is sufficient to apprehend criminals often enough to make them believe that their actions are very risky, and that the prospective gains are not attractive enough to warrant running such risks.

Perhaps all of those involved on every side of the present controversy regarding antiquities collecting can agree upon the value of developing more effective law enforcement systems for controlling and deterring illicit antiquities excavations, trafficking and smuggling. In this observer's opinion, it would be far better to devote our mutual efforts to this goal rather than pursuing the illusion that the antiquities market can be eliminated.

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