Shop owner caught in Crete antiquities raid

Authorities said yesterday that they may have found links between a 60-year-old businessman arrested in Heraklion, Crete, for possessing illegal antiquities and a large international smuggling operation. Michalis Anastassakis, head of the Special Investigation Service, said that though evidence does not currently point to illegal trade in antiquities but he did not rule out the suspect being part of an international antiquities-smuggling gang.
Among other items, an ancient marble funeral tablet, two vases, 27 ancient coins and six icons dating from before the 19th century were found in possession of the suspect by the police. Also, police found 159 bullets in a bank deposit box kept by the suspect.
As investigations into the matter continue, authorities did not identify the man, who owns a retail store in Heraklion.