According to Interpol, 60 persons were detained across Europe last year in a raid that resulted in the recovery of over 11,000 trafficking artworks and artifacts, including antique texts, sculptures, and coins.
From September 13 to 24, last year, authorities commanded by Spain’s Guardia Civil police swooped on art criminals in a host of European nations as part of an annual operation codenamed Pandora VII, according to the international police cooperation group.
Among the objects discovered were 77 antique books stolen from a monastery in Italy, hundreds of historic coins stolen from a monastery in Poland, and 48 religious sculptures and other artifacts stolen from a church in Portugal in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In all, police from 15 countries took part: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden.
France-based Interpol oversaw coordination between the different forces, along with the EU law enforcement cooperation agency Europol.
“Some 130 investigations are still ongoing, as a result of which more seizures and arrests are anticipated as investigators around the globe go after those spoiling and destroying cultural heritage,” Interpol said it a statement.
Pandora operations to recover stolen art and artefacts have been carried out every year since 2016.