SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) – Macedonian police say they have arrested 48 people, including local politicians and archaeologists, in a nationwide crackdown on the illegal antiquities trade.

Spokesman Ivo Kotevski says the operation started early Thursday in eight towns, and about 100 artifacts dating from prehistoric to Ottoman times have been seized.

Kotevski said more than 60 homes were raided, and the confiscated items included jewelry, coins, pottery and bronzes “of exceptional historic and archaeological value.

“Police discovered a small museum in one house,” he told The Associated Press.

Kotevski said the suspects planned to sell the illegally excavated artifacts abroad.

Macedonia has some 6,000 archaeological sites, and major problems with antiquities theft.

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AP-CS-06-24-10 0942EDT