The exploitation of information about three individuals allegedly possessing a large number of ancient treasures in Heraklion, an undercover policewoman and an appointment trap were what led to the dismantling of the antiquities trafficking ring in Crete by Greek FBI officials.

As it follows from the report of protothema.gr, the countdown for the deconstruction of the circuit began when, and with the assistance of private investigator George Tsukalis, information arrived at the Subdirectorate for Combating Trafficking in Persons and Goods, according to which at least three perpetrators have in their possession antiquities, which they are interested in selling directly.

In fact, according to the same reports, the man seeking buyers on behalf of the team was a man named “Lambros.”

A police investigation ensued during which it was decided that a policewoman would be presented to “Lambros” as a middleman for a prominent interested buyer. And so it was done. She contacted “Lambros” and asked him to meet in order to evaluate the antiquities.

The bait was set up and the man “took the bait”.

The meeting was set for yesterday, Wednesday, April 23. “Lambros” first met with the undercover policewoman in Heraklion and then drove her to Agii Varvara Heraklion, where they met with an associate, also under arrest. They then went to a house where all six accused – members of the ring – were present.

During the meeting, the attendees showed the policewoman 46 antiquities and demanded 600,000 euros, while one of them showed her a photo from his mobile phone, which depicted a possibly ancient gold wreath, which he claimed to have for sale, suggesting that it was an object of great value.

Following the above, the policewoman left the premises and gave the signal to her colleagues to arrest the accused and handcuff them. As protothema.gr wrote earlier, these are persons above suspicion, including a director of a public service.

As Mr. Tsukalis explained to protothema.gr, “this is a large operation of 25-30 police officers, as there was information that those involved were killing. As far as the findings are concerned, they are very expensive Cycladic jewelry, a head from a statue and others. Very important findings of great value.”