A police operation against tomb raiders in Nova Zagora, southeastern Bulgaria, recovered a large number of valuable archaeological artifacts, Bulgarian media reported.
The action was conducted with the cooperation of the Sliven police department and the Sofia police. Reportedly, following surveillance, two houses in Nova Zagora and an address in Sofia were raided on April 29.
More than 500 coins, necklaces, bracelets, ceramic statues, horns and other artifacts, dating from ancient and medieval periods were recovered.
Metal detectors, magnet detectors and other equipment, which require state permits to be owned, were also seized. A 30-year-old man who owns both properties in Nova Zagora was arrested.
According to the police, the suspect was allegedly notorious throughout southeastern Europe for trafficking cultural and historic artifacts.
Source: Sofia Echo