Art cops uncover archaeological-relic-trafficking ring

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 24 - Carabinieri art police said on Wednesday that they executed arrest warrants for 16 people in relation to an alleged ring that staged illegal archaeological digs and was involved in the illegal sale of priceless relics at the national and international level.
    The police also staged dozens of searches in relation to Tuesday's operation involving around 300 officers Some of the people arrested in five different regions, Puglia, Basilicata, Campania, Lazio and Abruzzo, were taken to jail while others were put under house arrest.
    The probe stemmed from the activities of the "Cacciatori Puglia" helicopter squadron, which revealed illegal activities in archaeological sites during aerial surveillance.
    During the investigation, the police recovered and seized thousands of archaeological finds, including ceramics and gold, silver and bronze coins.
    Restrictive measures were imposed on five suspects, in addition to the 16 arrested, and a total of 51 people are under investigation. (ANSA).