Cyprus police announced Monday (25 January 2010) they had arrested a theft ring that was trying to sell four thousand years old artifacts.More than 100 officers worked on the case in Cyprus, originally alerted by information coming from Greek police.
"By cooperating with the Greek authorities we were able to track and locate this smuggling ring," Cypriot Communications Minister Nikos Nikolaides told reporters.
The case can lead to further enquiry about the security measures in Cyprus around archaeological sites.
Police is also investigating whether the theft is part of an international smuggling network. Police spokesman said 10 Cypriots had been arrested so far and more arrests are expected.
This has been the largest antiquities theft attempt in the history of Cyprus.
According to officials the artifacts include copper and silver coins, terra-cotta urns and clay and limestone figurines from urns located in Lemesos and Pafos. It is suspected that some of the artifacts are from occupied territories of Cyprus or maybe from elsewhere.
Cyprus is known for its archaeological wealth as it has wittnessed successive waves of settlers starting from around 9000 BC.
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