An ancient coin trafficking network dismantled by French customs

The main suspects were arrested in Turkey, they had an organization “worthy of drug traffickers” according to information from France Inter, published Monday.

After three years of investigation, the French customs intelligence service has dismantled a major ancient coin trafficking network, according to information from France Inter published Monday February 26. It’s spring 2022, “in accommodation in central France” that customs agents discovered 8,597 pieces, originating from the Anatolia region, in Turkey, and which dated partly from the 6th century.

The pieces were found throughout the house: “in a television cabinet, in freezer bags, in boxes in the four corners of the apartment”, remembers one of the investigators, specializing in the trafficking of cultural goods, reports France Inter. Not counting the more than 7,000 pieces already missing, according to customs, the total loot of which is estimated at more than 1.5 million euros for 15,000 objects. A magic incantation plaque and an exemption plaque so that imperial animals are not subjected to chores, an extremely rare and invaluable object in terms of heritage, were also seized from the apartment.

“Collectors” who go from village to village

The main suspects were arrested in Turkey by the Turkish authorities. According to customs members, they had an organization “worthy of drug traffickers”, reports France Inter. An investigator specializing in the trafficking of cultural goods details their process: “Generally, the coins are looted in villages by people who are in quite precarious situations. The mafiosi will provide them with metal detectors so that they can search for treasures in their locality according to the stories they have heard and which may have passed between generations. Once these materials have been recovered, collectors will go from village to village to buy these objects at a low price, and certainly not at the European market price.”.

The man with whom the treasure was found, a father described as “Mr. Everyman”, faces up to ten years in detention and a fine of 15 million euros, for smuggling prohibited goods and possession of goods subject to proof. He will soon be heard by the courts. The objects will be returned, through diplomatic channels, to Turkey.