Associated with RSF militia… An international network for looting and smuggling antiquities seized

The Criminal Investigations Directorate of River Nile State’s Police announced the dismantling of a criminal network involved in plundering rare historical treasures from Sudan. Investigations confirmed the existence of a close link between the network members and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, which provided facilities for smuggling antiquities outside the borders.

The Criminal Investigations Directorate managed to arrest ten individuals of foreign nationalities, involved in the theft of Sudanese antiquities that were hidden in a plastic pipe factory and a residential apartment in the city of Atbara.

This operation, which was carried out in full secrecy and extreme caution, came to reveal the attempts of the foreign network to smuggle rare antiquities stolen from the National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum, in addition to other antiquities thieved from the city of Neyala in South Darfur State.

The seizure included two rare archaeological statues decorated with ancient engravings, 7 historical copper pitchers, in addition to an ancient dagger and pestle dating back to ancient eras.

Huge quantities of local and foreign currencies were also found. But the most exciting thing was finding photos and videos on the defendants’ phones, showing pieces of gold and diamonds that the network had collected to sell in international markets.