Bulgarian Authorities Arrest 35 in Major Ancient Artefact Trafficking Bust

Bulgarian law enforcement, supported by Europol, has apprehended 35 individuals and recovered more than 3,000 ancient cultural artefacts estimated to be worth over 100 million euros ($115 million). Europol spokesperson Jens Liedhegener stated in Sofia that the seized items must now be carefully identified and repatriated.

The extensive collection includes a wide range of historical pieces, such as Greco-Roman and Thracian antiquities, along with masks, military gear, jewelry, and pottery, some of which date back to 2000 BC. Currently, the Bulgarian National History Museum is responsible for safeguarding the artefacts.

This large-scale operation involved 131 coordinated searches across multiple countries—120 conducted within Bulgaria and others in France, Albania, Germany, and Greece. The investigation originated from a 2020 raid on a Bulgarian residence that uncovered approximately 7,000 invaluable cultural objects.

According to Europol, the criminal network, now dismantled, is suspected of funding illicit excavations throughout Bulgaria and neighboring Balkan states. In response to Bulgarian authorities’ request, Europol established a taskforce in 2024 dedicated to enhancing collaboration, data sharing, and analytical support among EU member states to combat cultural heritage trafficking.