Greek police on Thursday arrested eight people suspected of belonging to an antiquities smuggling ring in the town of Larissa.
Police say that the gang conducted illicit excavations in mountainous rural areas of Thessaly and Pieria in central Greece with the aim of selling their finds on the black market.
Dozens of artifacts, including gold rings, a large coin collection, bronze jewelry, clay statuettes, pottery and iron weapons were seized during a series of home raids.
Police said the gang was suspected of being active in Greece since at least early 2018, and they already sold many of the plundered artifacts, dating from ancient times to the 19th century.
At least 13 additional suspects are currently being sought. According to reports, a law enforcement officer has also been implicated over his alleged involvement in one of the digs.
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