[MSN] The Greek police squad monitoring the trafficking of antiquities stopped the sale of several artifacts in London believed to have been illegally acquired from Greece

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Antiquities squad progress in UK 
The Greek police squad monitoring the trafficking of antiquities stopped the
sale of several artifacts in London believed to have been illegally acquired
from Greece, sources told Kathimerini yesterday.

Greek police were in England last week for discussions with British
officers, auction house officials and collectors about a huge cache of
illegal antiquities discovered in a villa on the Aegean island of Schinoussa
last month.

But the officers also feared the high-profile Schinoussa case would compel
antiquities traders to quickly sell illegally obtained artifacts before the
police cracked down on them.

Officers had been tipped off about a stash of artifacts in the store of an
antiquities trader in London, sources said.

Police are checking whether the items in London were originally from Greece
and, if so, whether they were taken out of the country illegally.

With the cooperation of the British authorities, Greek police officers
intervened so the artifacts will not be sold during the course of the
investigation.

A team of Greek archaeologists is expected to visit London soon to examine
the artifacts.

If their provenance is discovered to be Greek, the government will begin
procedures for their return, sources said.

After their contacts in London, the police officers on the squad monitoring
antiquities smuggling said they are expecting new developments in the near
future.

Sources said the feeling in the department is that the Schinoussa find may
be a small part of a much broader case which could eventually prove to be
one of the biggest breakthroughs in the antiquities trafficking field.

The police officers have briefed Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras about
their discoveries in London and the related investigation.

Meanwhile, Greek authorities are also maintaining contact with police in
Italy to exchange information about possible antiquities smuggling.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/