National
Spanish Police recover pre-Colombian stolen goods
By h.b.
May 6, 2008 - 3:45 PM

National Police in La Rioja have recovered more than 700 pieces of priceless pre-Colombian archaeological remains after arresting a married couple who have been selling such items illegally internationally.

The Spanish man and Colombian woman would travel through Ecuadror, Peru and Colombia to illegally obtain the items, which they would then put on display and sell in Europe later. Most of the sales took place in France where the couple had a new sale planned for later this month.

The Spanish Interior Ministry says that dozens of masks, earrings, necklaces and gold figures, with more than 30 pre-Columbian fabrics, ceramics, and stones have been recovered. Some of the carvings depict animals or are erotic or ritual in nature.

The National Heritage department of the police have collaborated with Interpol, and judicial police forces at Barajas airport and in Logroño in the making of the arrests.