[MSN] Smuggling Headache for Algerian Authorities

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Smuggling Headache for Algerian Authorities 
Written by TML Staff
Published Sunday, February 11, 2007 
   
Thousands of archeological finds are being smuggled out of Algeria every
year, according to a report in the government-backed daily El Moudjahid. 
 
Some 250 artefacts were seized from visitors to the Sahara region of the
country in January, Reuters reported the newspaper as saying. 
 
The items were found at TamanrassetAirport, about a thousand miles south of
the country's capital, Algiers. 
 
Three people were arrested in January with a reported 98 items in their
possession, stolen from the Djebrine Museum in the Tassili National Park. 
 
Not only were ancient items seized but Picassos were also recovered by
Algerian authorities. 

 
editor at themedialine.org.