An expat has been arrested for allegedly plundering a 2,000-year-old shipwreck.
The unnamed man, 39, was emerging from the water wearing a wetsuit when he was approached by police.
He had a metal detector with him and in a neoprene bag wrapped around his hips, officers discovered several objects which the man is alleged to have brought up from the seabed.
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Among the items were coins, an old screw and metal plates which were found to potentially be made of lead.
The police confiscated the man’s belongings and his equipment.
He has now been charged by the Guardia Civil for a crime against historical heritage, as reported by Need To Know.
He allegedly looted artefacts from The Ses Llumetes wreck, a 1st century A.D. Roman shipwreck discovered in Porto Cristo harbour, Mallorca, Spain.
It is known for its well-preserved wooden hull and a diverse cargo, including ceramics, building materials, and a unique deposit of volcanic ash that protected the wood from decay.
The wreck site has been extensively researched and is considered one of the most important underwater archaeological sites in Mallorca.
Since being charged, the man, a German national, has been released by police.
His breathing gear used for diving and his metal detector were confiscated.
The use of this type of equipment is banned in protected areas which serve as the locations of historical sites.
The man also received several fines for breaching diving regulations after the incident on 22 May.
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