Members of the Territorial Battalion of the National Gendarmerie in Ain Defla have recovered a monetary treasure and cultural property held by a criminal network specializing in the illegal trafficking of cultural property and movable artifacts. The network operated across the provinces of Tipaza and Ain Defla.
The operation was launched following intelligence reports regarding the case. Investigations revealed that the network members obtained these cultural items through excavation, prospecting, and grave robbing, before transporting them through the province of Ain Defla for illegal resale.
A security plan was implemented to intercept a member of the network on National Road 35, which connects Tipaza and Ain Defla, while they were transporting a significant quantity of artifacts.
The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, while another remains at large. Authorities seized a monetary treasure consisting of 10,200 bronze coins, which preliminary data indicates date back to the Roman period. Other cultural properties were also seized and are currently undergoing scientific study and identification. The suspect will be presented before the competent judicial authorities upon the conclusion of the investigation.
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