EDESSA, Greece -- Five people were arrested for antiquities looting by the Thessaloniki security police's antiquities protection unit as they were digging in a site designated as archaeological, in the Pella prefecture.
The five men, aged 43 to 50, had dug a hole nearly 8 meters deep in the archaeological site when they were arrested.
Police confiscated digging material, including flashlights, gloves, backpacks and disposable facial masks. Search at one of the homes (of a 46-year-old man), police confiscated 28 ancient copper coins (Roman and Byzantine eras), a ring and narcotics in the form of pills.
The five will be led before a prosecutor.