Image Credit: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Italy Arrests 34 Suspected Tomb Raiders in Major Anti Looting Operation

Italian authorities have arrested 34 people suspected of illegally looting archaeological sites in Sicily and the neighboring region of Calabria, in one of the country’s largest recent crackdowns on cultural heritage crimes.
According to police and prosecutors, the suspects are accused of participating in organized networks involved in the theft, trafficking and counterfeiting of archaeological artifacts. In Sicily, nine individuals were placed in pre-trial detention and 14 under house arrest, while similar measures were taken against suspects in Calabria.
During the operation, officers seized around 10,000 archaeological objects, including approximately 7,000 ancient coins issued by Greek city-states that once existed on the island. Authorities also recovered hundreds of clay and terracotta vessels, bronze rings, brooches and arrowheads. Prosecutors estimated the total value of the recovered items at about €17 million.
Investigators also uncovered a clandestine workshop in eastern Sicily where fake ancient coins, pottery and copper artifacts were being produced. Some looted objects were traced to Germany, where they had been smuggled for resale on the international market.
In Calabria, prosecutors said the suspects operated with the tacit approval of a local organized crime group, highlighting the long-standing connection between illicit antiquities trafficking and organized crime. To avoid detection, the group reportedly limited phone communication and used agricultural code words such as “asparagus” and “fennel” to describe illegal activities. A “chainsaw” was reportedly used as code for a metal detector.
Italy has struggled for centuries with the looting of its vast archaeological heritage, particularly in regions rich in Greek and Roman remains. Authorities said the latest arrests demonstrate continued efforts to protect cultural assets buried beneath Italian soil and to disrupt criminal networks profiting from their illegal trade.

Published on: 12-12-2025

Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie

Source: Reuters