Marrakech – In a dramatic twist at the Port of Sete, French customs unearthed earlier this month a treasure trove of unlisted art valued at tens of thousands of euros.
The unexpected find was made during a routine ferry inspection from Morocco, turning a standard check into a headline-worthy art heist.
On July 10, customs authorities at the Port of Sete made a jaw-dropping discovery of a haul of Moroccan art smuggled without documentation.
According to the website Midi Libre, the smuggled artwork included “eight masterful paintings, a statue, and an ancient sword.”
The artworks, which have been seized, were discovered stashed away in a van from Morocco and are now awaiting expert evaluation.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether these items qualify as “cultural property” — including archaeological artifacts, ancient manuscripts, historical relics, or antiques. If they do, they will require proper documentation.
As for their origin, there’s speculation that these artworks might be linked to an inheritance.
If verified, they would be subject to taxation; otherwise, they would simply be high-value merchandise.
According to Midi Libre, converging reports suggest that the intended recipient is not based in France.
Pending expert analysis to determine their provenance, the artworks have been handed over to the Paul-Valéry Museum in Sète for safekeeping.
