Moroccan Archaeological Treasure Seized in Sète

A recent control operation conducted on a ferry from Morocco led to a major discovery. In Sète, agents searched a passenger’s van and uncovered approximately sixty minerals, bones and fossils hidden away. This archaeological haul notably included trilobites, ammonites as well as a saw-fish skeleton, all transported without any customs declaration whatsoever.

On Bladi.net : Wild excavations in Morocco: fossils worth thousands of euros blocked by French customs

Investigators suspect these remains come directly from the looting of illegal excavation sites located on Moroccan territory. These illegal extractions serve to feed an international resale network where each piece can be negotiated for several thousand euros on specialized markets. All merchandise was immediately seized in order to determine with precision its origin, authenticity and market value.

On Bladi.net : France returns prehistoric treasure to Morocco

This seizure is part of a context of global increase in this type of crime in France. According to France 3 information, the administration recorded a 12% increase in its interventions in 2025, leading to the interception of more than 25,000 items. To remedy the harm caused by these trafficking operations, the institution assures that "when possible, customs returns seized goods to specialized institutions or returns them to their country of origin."