In a recent crackdown, Albanian authorities have apprehended individuals involved in a sophisticated art trafficking operation, aimed at selling stolen artifacts to foreign buyers for substantial sums of money. The arrests came after the perpetrators were caught red-handed with stolen artworks, which they were trafficking and selling to foreigners at exorbitant prices.
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| An ancient object captured by the Albanian police |
According to police reports, one of the arrested individuals, identified as Pëllumb Leka, took advantage of his employment near archaeological sites, working both as a guard and an assistant. Leveraging his position, Leka managed to acquire statues and icons of various sizes from cities such as Fier, Berat, and Gjirokastër. He then collaborated with Emanuel Çaço to traffic these artifacts with the intention of making a profit.
A portion of the stolen statues and icons were sold to foreign nationals from Italy, Greece, and Montenegro, fetching prices ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 euros each. Police authorities have disclosed that they have seized 13 statues of various sizes and forms as material evidence in the case.
The investigation is ongoing under the direction of the Prosecutor's Office to fully elucidate and document this case. This bust serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by the illicit trade of cultural heritage artifacts, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat such criminal activities effectively.